THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 


PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 

MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


A  BOOK    Foil   KVKKY    FABMER^^ 

—;-Y'u  ■  e" ' ^ 

FARMER'S  PRACTICAL 

HORSE 

FARRIERY. 

CONTAINING- 

rarey's  art  of  taiming  vicious  horses,  with  illustrated  instruc- 
tions,  PRACTICAL   RULES  ON  BUYING,  BREEDING,  BREAKING,    LAME- 
NESS, VICIOUS  HABITS,  MANAGEMENT,  PREVENTION,  SYMPTOMS, 
TREATMENT      AND      CURE     OF      DISEASES.       AND     THE 
LARGEST  C0LLEX:TI0N  OF  VALUABLE  RECEIPS, 
EVER   PUBLISHED,    &€,    &C,  &C. 

TO   WHIOn   18   PKEFIXED 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  BREEDS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 
WITH  NTJMEEOUS  ILLUSTRATIONS. 
COMPILED    BY    E.    NASH. 
10  til  Thousand  Revised. 


AUBURN. 
EPHKAIM  NASH. 
-       '         NEW    YORK: 

C.  M.  SAXTON,  35,  PARK  ROW. 
1859. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred 

and  fifty-seven, 

BY    EPHRAIM    NASH. 

In  the  Olerk'e  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  Northern  Disti-ict  of  New  York. 


> 


-)( 


PREFACE 


The  title  of  this  work  will  in  some  degree  indicate  our  purpose 
in  presenting  it  to  the  public  ;  a  few  remarks,  however,  may  be  ap- 
propriate. 

The  conviction  that  the  works  on  Horse  Farriery,  at  the  present 
da} ,  as  a  general  tiling,  are  not  written  so  much  to  instruct  and 
benefit  the  horse  owner  and  breeder,  as  the  veterinary  surgeon,  that 
they  confuse  raiher  than  instruct  the  common  reader,  that  they  arc 
too  scientific,  technical,  minute  and  elaborate,  to  meet  the  wants 
and  demands  of  our  agriculturists,  who,  from  the  scarcity  of  com- 
petent veterinary  surgeons  and  frequent  impositions,  are  comi)elIcd 
to  tri-at  their  own  horses,  are  among  the  prominent  reasons  that 
have  induced  us  to  present  these  pages  to  the  farming  community. 
AVe  do  not  claim  to  have  presented  much  that  is  new,  but  as 
usefulness  rather  than  originality  was  the  object  kept  constantly 
in  view,  we  feel  but  little  regret  on  this  point. 

We  have  consulted  the  best  American  and  English  authorities 
on  the  veterinary  art,  and  skillful  practitioners,  the  experience 
of  many  intelligent  and  practical  farmers  who  have  communicated 
their  views  and  experience  in  such  papers  as  the  Veterinary  Jour- 
nal, Cultivator,  Agriculturist,  Rural  New  Yorker,  Boston  Culti- 
vator, Vermont  Stock  Grower,  N.  Y.  Tribune,  &c.,  for  years  past, 
and  have  obtained  from  these  many  valuable  prescriptions  and  sug- 
gestions. Availing  ourselves  of  these  sources,  we  have  collected  a 
vast  amount  of  valuable  material  on  the  subject  of  the  work.  This  we 
have  examhied,  sifted,  arranged,  digested,  and  reduced,  by  exclud- 
ing words,  retaining  ideas,  facts  and  opinions,  so  as  to  present  the 
substance  and  cream  of  the  whole  in  a  clear,  simple  style,  within 
the  comprehension  of  every  one  of  common  capacity.  We  have 
submitted  the  matter,  previous  to  publishing,  to  one  of  the  most 
noied  stock  breeders  in  the  U.  S. ;  and  the  symptoms  and  treatments 


mymm 


iv  Preface 

of  diseases,  to  one  whose  experience  and  ability  has  eminently 
qualified  him.    To  these  gentlemen  we  are  under  special  obligations. 

This  work  is  not  onl}-  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  farmer,  but 
it  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  person  who  owns  a  horse,  for 
every  one  who  keeps  a  horse  should  not  only  learn  to  keep  him 
in  health,  for  pecuniary  gain,  but  as  a  matter  of  humanity  and 
benevolence. 

We  have  aimed  to  be  practical  and  definite  on  all  poiiits.  We 
regret  that  we  have  felt  compelled  to  be  so  brief  on  many  im- 
portant matters,  and  indeed  several  articles  have  been  thrown 
out  entirely,  for  the  w;uit  of  room.  If  the  reader  will  reflect 
that  a  large  volume  has  been  written  on  the  horse  foot  alone,  he 
will  easily  conceive  our  confined,  embarrassed,  and  cramped  situ- 
ation ;  having  to  treat  on  so  many  different  points  and  subjects 
within  the  scope  of  200  pages,  we  have  omitted  illustrations,  rea- 
sons, arguments,  &c,,  and  presented  the  naked  facts.  To  those 
who  may  wish  for  a  more  extended  description  and  treatment  of 
diseases,  we  most  cheerfully  commend  Dr,  Dadd's  Modern  Horse 
Doctor,  or  Youatt  on  the  Horse, 

More  space  is  given  to  the  method  of  training  and  breaking 
horses,  in  view  of  the  interest  that  has  been  elicited  on  the  sub- 
ject, than  would  have  been,  under  other  circumstances. 

The  method  of  treatment  of  Mr.  Rai'ey,  found  in  this  book,  we 
will  guarantee  is  fully  equal  if  not  superior  to  any  of  the  so  called 
Patent  Rights,  and  we  have  our  serious  doubts,  from  all  the  evi- 
dence we  have  been  able  to  gather,  that  there  is  any  Patent  Right, 
Copy  Right,  or  any  other  right  about  them,  but  what  the  public 
have  just  as  good  a  right  to  as  they  have  to  the  President's  Message. 
The  use  that  has  been  made  of  this  so  called  Right,  and  the  manner 
in  which  it  has  been  conducted  of  selling  it  as  a  Patent  Right,  and 
a  little  6  cent  pamphlet  for  SlO,  binding  the  purchaser  under  S300 
bonds  never  to  disclose  it,  and  selling  County  rights  for  §1000, 
and  the  like,  we  think  is  one  of  the  greatest  impositions  that  has 
ever  been  passed  upon  the  American  People. 

Conscious  of  its  imperfection,  but  trusting  that  it  will  in  some 
degree  meet  the  wants  of  the  farmers,  in  adding  to  the  comforts, 
ipiproving  the  condition,  relieving  pain,  removing  disease,  and 
sometimes  saving  the  life  of  the  noblu  and  most  useful  animal, 
the  horse,  the  author  now  lays  it  hopefully  before  the  public. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTEli    I. 

niST'>KY,  BREEDS  AND  VAEIETIES  OF  HOESES  IN  THE  TNITED  STATES. 

Ori--  ■md  \  aino  »i  the  horse — The  Arabian  horse— Tlie  Morgan  horse— The  raoa 
h.Hsc— Tlie  V  anaaian  horse— The  Norman  horse— The  Clevehind  bay— Th* 
Aaierican  trotUug  horse — Dray  or  draft  horse  Page  13-2S. 

CHAPTER    II. 

BRKEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  OF  COLTS. 

Laws  of  breeding— like  begets  like— exceptions— illustrations— object  of  breed 
ing — breeding — ^Tempeniment — Errors  in  breeding — Size — Condition — Exam 
ple--Selections  of  iiiarcs — Stallion — Disposition — After  manarcment  of  mare8 
—b  ceding  fancy  colors— Rearing  and  management  of  colts—Breaking— Cas- 
tra;  ion — How  to  tame  wi  d  horses 28-48. 

CHAPTER    HI. 

J    Q  T-  \".     vjj   KEW  METHOD  OF  TAMING   WILD  HOESES. 

Three  fundamental  principles- Flow  to  succeed  in  getting  the  colt  from  pasture. 
How  to  stable  a  colt  without  trouble— The  kind  of  halter— Remarks  on  the 
horse— Experiment  wifeli  the  robe— Sense  of  smelling— Powel's  system— To 
govern  horses  of  any  kind— If  of  a  stubborn  disposition— How  to  halter  and 
lead— Side  of  a  broke  horse— Hitch  without  having  him  pull  on  the  halter- 
Kind  of  bit,  how  to  accustom  a  horse  to  it— To  stable  a  colt— To  mount  the 
colt— To  ride  a  colt— To  drive  a  horse  that  is  very  wild  and  has  any  vicious 
habits— On  balking— To  break  a  horse  to  harness— How  to  hitch  a  horse  in  a 
sulky— To  make  a  horse  lie  down— To  make  a  horse  follow  you— To  make  a 
horse  stand  without  holding. . .    48-90. 


vi  Contents. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

GENERAL  MANAPEMENT,  ETC.,  OF  THE  HORSE. 

Stabling— Air  and  litter— Grooming— Dressing  vicious  horses— Exercise— Food — 
Age— To  save  horses  from  fire— Method  of  administering  medicines— Scalded 
Sliorts— Judging  the  cliaracter  of  horses  by  their  color— Warrantees— Snow 
bells  on  liorses'  feet— To  manage  a  horse  when  fallen  down 90-111. 

CHAPTER    V. 

THE  VICES  AND  DISAGREABLE   OR  DAXGEROTTS  HABITS  OF  THE  HORSE. 

Biting— Kicking— Running  away— Crib-biting— Wind-sucking  —  Cutting  —  Not 
lying  down— To  prevent  rolling  in  the  stall— Overreaching  the  clinking— Paw- 
ing—Shying— Slipping  tlie  halter— Tripping— Horses  jumping  fences..  111-121. 

CHAPTER    YI. 

OPERATIOX,  ETC.,  ETC. 

Setons— Bleeding— The  pulse— Clysters— Tracheotomy— Physicking— Docking 
—Nicking— Blaze  or  star— To  spot  a  black  horse  with  black  spots— Description 
of  a  skeleton  of  a  horse— Getting  the  check  of  the  bit  into  the  mouth— Colts 
chewing  halters 121-1.34. 

CHAPTER     VII. 

DISEASES  OF  THE   BRAIX,  RESPIRATORY   ORGANS  AND  AIR  PASSAGES. 

Staggers— Megrims— Apoplexy— Phrintis  or  inflammation  of  the  brain— Hydro- 
phobia or  madness— Influenza  or  horse-ail— Spasms  of  the  larynx  and  laryngi- 
tis— Pneumonia  or  inflammation  of  the  lungs— Pleurisy — consumption — Stran- 
gles or  horse  distemper— Bronchitis  — Catarrh  —  Nasal  gleet— Roaring  — 
Common  cough  — Chronic  cough  — Thick  wind— Heaves  or  broken  wind- 
Blistering 1.^4-155 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  URINARY  ORGANS,  DIGESTIVE  CAVITY,  AND  EYE. 

Inflammation  of  the  Iddneys — Inflammation  of  the  bladder — Inflammation  of 
the  stomach  and  bowels — Bots — Colic — Scours  and  constipation  in  young  colts 
— Diarrhcea — Indigestion — Inflammation  of  the  ej^e — Locked  jaw  or  tetanus — 
Fever— Putrid  fever- Hysteria  in  mares— Slobbering 155-1 7'2. 

CHAPTER    IX. 

LAMENESS,  DISEASE   OF  THE   MOUTH,  SKIN,   HOOF,  GENERALITIES,  &C. 

Spavin— Windgalls— Ringbone— Founder  or  acute  rheumatism— Chronic  found- 
er-Cramp— Splent— Lameness— Elbow  joint  lameness— Toe  crack- Swelled 
legs— Scratches- Poultry  lousiness— Hide  bound— Glanders— Farcy— Poll  evil 
and  Fistula  Withers— List  of  Medicines— Receipts  Table  of  Doses.      172-19'^. 


CHAPTER    I. 


mSTOEY,   BREEDS    AND    VARIETIES    OF    HORSES    IN   THE 

TJNITED    STATES, 


ORIGIN  AND  VALUE  OF  THE  HORSE. 

The  history  of  the  Horse,  intimately  interwoven  as  it  is  with  man, 
can  hardly  fail  to  interest  the  most  careless  student.  From  the 
earliest  ages,  he  has  been  man's  faithful  ally  and  willing  slsve* 
f  n  war,  he  not  only  moves  all  the  machinery  of  the  field  and 
camp,  but  shares  with  his  rider,  all  the  fatigue  and  danger  of  the 
battle.  In  peace,  how  various  and  invaluable  are  his  services. 
Every  branch  of  industry  owes  much  to  his  patient  toil.  He 
plows  the  soil,  sows  the  seed,  reaps  the  harvest,  and  transports  it 
to  market.  He  has  been  admired,  cherished  and  loved  equally 
by  the  most  enlightened  and  most  barbarous  races  of  man,  and  is 
almost  invariably  considered  the  most  useful  and  manageable  of 
all  our  domestic  animals.  He  was  domesticated  in  the  days  of 
Mores,  and  the  earliest  record  traces  him  to  Egypt,  whence  he 
gradually  found  his  way  to  the  various  Egyptian  Provinces. 

The  wild  horses  of  South  America,  are  supposed  to  have  been 
descended  from  animals  left  in  the  country  by  early  Spanish  ad- 
venturers.   J'ossils  have  lately  been  discovered  in  the  south  which 


14  The  Horse  Farriee. 

seem  to  show  that  the  horse  was  an  inhabitant  of  the  wes- 
tern hemisphere,  long  before  his  discovery  by  the  Egyptian. 
The  principal  varieties  of  horses  which  are  found  in  the  United 
States,  are  the  Arabian  5  the  Morgan  ;  the  Race-Horse  ;  the  Can- 
adian ;  the  Norman ;  the  Draft  Horse  ^  and  the  American  Trot- 
ting-IIorse.  The  mongrel  known  as  the  ■'^coiinnon  hotf-e/'  ia 
descended  from  the  many  different  varieties  and  exhibit  too  many 
different  charactestiss  to  admit  of  any  particular  description. 
THE  ARABIAN  HORSE. 

This  Horse  deservedly  occupies  the  very  highest  rank.  As  late 
as  the  eleventh  century,  the  Arabs  possessed  but  few  houses, 
and  these  were  of  inferior  quality.  The  horses  they  obtained 
from  Capadocia,  and  neighboring  provinces,  were  preserv(  d 
with  so  much  care,  and  so  uniformly  propagated  from  the  be.-t 
animals,  that  in  the  thirteenth  century  they  had  obtained  a  just 
and  unrivalled  celebrity. 

The  Arabs  divide  their  horses  into  three  classes,  the  Aitecln\ 
or  inferior  breed,  which  are  of  little  value  ;  the  KudiscJii,  or  mixe(i 
breed;  and  the  Kochlani,  or  thorough-bred,  whose  pedigree^  li' 
we  credit  the  Arabian  account,  can  be  in  some  instances  traced 
for  two  thousand  years. 

The  Arabian  Horse  would  not  be  acknowledged  by  every 
horseman  to  possess  a  perfect  form.  His  head,  however,  is  inim- 
itable, and  is  uuiversally  acknowledged  to  be  unsurpassed  in  any 
other  breed.  The  shoulders,  withers,  loins  and  hips  are  excellent^ 
The  feet  are  good,  the  pasterns  long  and  oblique,  and  the  limbs 
light,  but  well  shaped  and  muscular.  They  are  not  adapted  to 
carrying  heavy  weights  or  drafts^  and  they  are  never  put  to  such 
service. 


Thk  Ap.abian  Horse  7^ 

The  muscles  of  the  thi.crh  and  foro-ai m  are  strikingly  developed, 
and  assure  us  of  his  ability  to  perform  many  of  the  feafs  of 
strength  and  endurance  related  of  him.  But  in  reading  of  his 
really  marve'ous  marches,  we  must  remember  that  there  are  no 
watches  to  note  accurately  the  time,  no  mile  stones  to  mark  cor- 
rectly the  distance  on  the  paths  of  the  desert,  and  much  allowance 
must  be  made  lor  the  proneness  of  the  Bedouin  to  exaggeration. 
The  Arabian  is  as  celebrated  for  his  docility  and  good  temper  as 
for  his  speed  and  courage.  It  is  to  the  Arabians  that  the  English 
are  chiefly  indebted  for  their  unrivalled  breed  of  horses  for  the 
turf  and  chase. 

Layard,  the  explorer  of  Nineveh,  who  is  as  familiar  with 
Arabs  as  he  is  with  antiquities,  gives  some  curious  details  respec- 
ting the  true  horse  of  the  desert.  Contrary  to  the  popular  notion, 
the  Arabian  is  celebrated  less  for  swiftness  than  for  courage  and 
endurance.  Only  when  pursued,  does  a  Bedouin  put  his  mare  to 
full  speed.  It  is  the  long  distance  they  will  travel,  in  emergency, 
without  rest,  and  the  comparatively  small  amount  of  food  they  re- 
quire, which  render  the  Arabian  horses  so  valuable.  Layard 
says  that  he  knew  of  a  celebrated  mare,  which  carried  two  men 
in  chain  armor  beyond  the  reach  of  some  Aneyza  pursuers.  This 
mare  rarely  had  more  feed  than  twelve  handsful  of  barley  in 
twenty-four  hours,  except  during  the  spring,  when  the  pastures 
were  green,  and  it  is  only  the  mares  of  the  wealthy  Bedouin^  that 
can  get  even  this  allowance.  They  are  never  placed  under  shel- 
ter during  the  summer,  nor  protected  from  the  biting  winds  of 
the  desert  in  winter.  The  saddle  is  rarely  taken  from  their  backs. 
Cleaning  and  grooming  are  strangers  to  them.  They  sometimes 
reach  fifteen  hands  in  height,  and  never  fall  belov/  fourteen.  In 
disposition  the}^  are  as  docile  as  lambs,  requiring  no  guide  but  a 
halter;  yet  in  the  flight  and  pur-suit  their  nostrils  become  blood 
red.  their  eyes  glitter  with  fire,  the  neck  is  arched,  and  the  main 
and  tail  are  raised  and  spread  to  the  wind,  and  the  animal  seems 
wild  and  unmanageable,  when  in  fact  it  is  guided  by  the  slightest 
touch  or  word,  while  its  fleet  and  tireless  step  '"  leaves  clamor 
and  pursuit  behind."  Their  value  is  so  great,  that  a  thorough- 
bred mare  is  generally  owned  by  ten.  or  even  more  persons,  and 
one  can  rarely  be  obtained,  except  by  fraud  and  excessive  bribery. 
The  reason  is  this.  The  Bedouins  are  almost  constantly  engaged 
in  quarrels  with  their  neighbors,  or  among  themselves,  and  are 
often  exposed  to  dangers  from  which  they  can  escape  only  by  the 
superior  speed  and  endurance  of  their  horses.    It  is  not  surprising 


16  TiiK  Horse  Farrip:r. 

thnt  t'le  Bedouins,  whose  entire  possession  consists  of  a  few 
household  utensils,  his  tent  and  his  mare,  should  set  such  enor- 
mous value  upon  the  latter,  provided  she  be  more  fleet  and  endu- 
ring than  the  majority  of  her  kind.  It  will  be  a  subject  of  regret, 
to  those  who  admire  fine  horses,  to  learn  that  the  Arabian  is 
thought  to  be  degenerating,  owing  to  the  decline  of  the  Bedouin 
tribes. 

The  amount  of  Arabian  blood  which  mingles  in  the  vems  of 
the  common  horses  of  the  U.  S.  is  probably  greater  than  is  usu- 
al Ij-  supposed.  The  first  importation  of  these  horses  was  the 
Lindsay  Arabian.  He  was  folded  in  1762  and  landed  in  1766, 
His  stock  proved  very  valuable,  and  he  left  a  numerous 
progeny.  Numerous  importations  have  since  been  made  at  vari- 
ous times,  of  Arabian  horses,  and  there  are  several  imported  an- 
imals of  this  stock,  owned  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 

In  additition  to  the  Arabian  blood,  imported  directly  from  the 
east,  much  has  been  borrowed  through  horses  imported  from  Eng- 
land, which  were  nearly  related  to  Arabians* 

THE   THOROUGH-BRED    HORSE. 

Mr.  Youatt  says  :  "  There  is  much  dispute  with  regard  to  the 
origin  of  the  thorough-bred  horse.  By  some  he  is  traced  through 
both  sire  and  dam  to  Eastern  parentage  ;  others  belive  him  to  be 
the  native  horse,  improved  and  perfected  by  judicious  crossing 
withthe  Barb,  the  Turk,  or  the  Arabian." 

In  England  a  horse  is  held  to  be  not  strictly  thorough-bred  un- 
less his  pedigree  be  directly  traceable  on  both  his  sire  and  dam 
side  to  an  imported  Barb  and  Arabian.  The  English  racer  is 
generally  distinguished  by  his  beautiful  Arabian  head ;  his  fine 
and  finely-set-on-neck  ;  his  oblique,  lengthened  shoulders  ;  well- 
bent  hinder  legs  ;  his  ample,  muscular  quarters,  his  flat  bony 
legs,  rather  short  from  the  knee  to  the  fetlock,  but  apt  to  be  a  lit- 
tle narrow  below  the  knee,  long  and  elastic  pastern,  sound  good 
feet,  and  a  beautiful  short  and  glossy  coat.  He  has  been  bred  for 
many  generations  solely  for  the  race  course,  and  in  his  speed  com- 
bined with  ability  to  carry  a  heavy  weight  through  a  four  mile  race 
he  has  no  rival,  and  has  beaten  every  competitor  on  his  native  soil 

A  large  majority  of  the  best  thorough-bred  horses  are  descend- 
ants from  the  Darly,  or  Gudolphin  Arabian,  the  former  was  im- 
ported in  England  by  Mr.  Darly,  in  1703,  and  the  latter  was 
brought  into  England  about  1730.  The  most  distinguished  sons 
of  the  Darly  Arabian,  were  Flying  Childers,  and  the  Bleeding  or 
Bartlett  Childers,  and  through  Ciiilders,  and  Blaze  descended. 
JSampsoM  is  said  to  have  been  ihe  strongest  horse  that  has  ever 
apjiCaied  on  the  turf. 


The  Race  Horse. 


17 


FLYIXG      CUILDEllS. 

It  is  niw  a  little  more  than  one  hundred  years  since  the  first 
importation  of  noted  thorough-lired  horses  were  made  to  this 
country.  Of  the  importation  prior  to  IbOO,  tlie  most  celebrated 
horses  were  Fearnaught,  James  jNIorton,  Traveler,  W'ildair,  Dio- 
nell,  Medley,  Shark,  and  Messenger.  Many  of  the  best  horses  of 
England  have  been  at  different  times  imported,  and  their  blood 
mingled  largely  with  that  of  the  common  stock  of  the  countr}-. 
Race  horses  are  most  common  in  the  Southern  States,  and  much 
attention  is  there  paid  to  breeding  and  training  them,  In  that 
section  of  the  country  light  single  carriages  are  but  little  used 
in  ordinar}'  business  traveling,  unless  in  public  convej^ance,  be- 
ing usually  performed  on  horseback.  For  use  under  the  sadille 
the  thorough  bred  horse  is  eminently  well  suited. 

In  the  Northern  States  a  person  is  seldom  seen  on  hor-eback. 
Light  carriages  or  open  buggies  have  come  into  universal  use, 
and  the  trotting  has  taken  the  place  of  the  saddle  horse.  For 
several  years  past  comparatively  little  attention  has  been  paid  in 
breeding  the  thorough  bred  in  the  New  England,  and  the  Northern 
and  Western  States.  In  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  a  great  deal  of 
attention  is  paid  to  the  breeding  and  training  of  the  race  horse,  and 
it  is  claimed  that  the  best  specimens  of  the  breed  in  this  country 
are  to  be  found  in  these  States. 

It  has  been  assert^'d  by  some  writers  that  the  race  horse  deter- 
iorates upon  being  transported  to  this  country,  and  that  our  soil 
and  climate  are  not  well  suited  to  best  developement  of  his  powers 


'%;^^m^^ 


The  Norman  Horse.  19 

The  best  autliori'Lies  in  the  country  are  of  the  contrary  opinion, 
and  hold  that  the  soil  snd  climate  of  the  U.  S.  is  in  respect  in- 
ferior to  that  of  Great  Britain,  for  the  fullest  development  of  the 
power  and  qualities  of  the  horse  There  can  be  but  little  doubt 
that  this  opinion  is  well  founded. 

The  soil  and  climate  of  the  central  and  southern  portion  of  this 
country,  certainly  more  nearly  resemble  that  of  Arabia  th.an 
does  the  soil  and  climate  of  the  British  Islands  ;  and  the  fame  of 
the  horses  of  Arabia,  which  for  four  centuries  has  been  universal, 
seems  abundant  evidence  that  the  soil  and  climate  of  that  country 
are  eminently  well  fitted  for  his  most  perfect  development. 

We  introduce  an  engraving  of  Alexander,  one  of  this  breed, 
which  is  one  of  the  finest  horses  in  ^yestern  New  York,  he  has 
a  high  carriage,  a  proud  and  fearless  style  of  movement,  a  lively 
and  intelligent  expression,  perfectly  gentle  and  docile,  is  safe  for 
a  women  to  drive  at  any  time,  has  a  strong,  compact,  and  vigorous 
constitution,  is  easily  kept,  and  is  all  that  could  be  de^^ired  for  a 
carriage  horse.  He  has  never  been  trained  for  the  course,  but  has 
gone  with  ease  a  mile  inside  of  tiiree  minutes,  several  of  his  colts 
have  been  sold  on  account  of  thier  speed  at  high  figures*  His 
stock  generaly  are  remarkabl  fine  animals,  and  we  believe  will 
compare  favorabely  with  any  in  the  coyntry. 

THE   NORMAN   HORSE. 

The  Norman  Horse  derives  his  name  from  the  provinces  of 
Normandy,  in  France,  where  he  is  bred.  The  origin  of  the  most 
esteemed  variety  is  said  to  have  been  across  between  the  Andalu- 
vian  horse  of  Spain  (which  is  descended  from  the  Arabian  and 
BarN,  brought  into  Spain  by  the  Moors.)  and  the  old  Norman 
draft  horse,  it  partook  very  nmch  of  the  general  character  of  all 
the  heavy  horses  of  the  ••  low  countries"  which  have  been  for 
st'veral  centuries  celebrated  for  their  size  and  strength,  their 
docile  and  teachable  temper,  and  their  admirable  adaptation  to 
purposes  of  heavy  draft. 

The  Norman  horse  is  remarkable  for  strength,  good  wind, 
and  great  power  of  endurance.  It  is  said,  "  with  their  necks  cut 
to  the  bone,  they  flinch  not ;  they  put  forth  all  their  efforts  at 
the  voice  of  the  driver  ;  ifietj  keep  their  'position  lohen  other 
horses  would  die  of  neglect  and  hard  treatment.  They  are  so 
hardy  that  there  is  but  little  risk  in  raising  them,  and  they  are 
so  exceedmgly  docile  and  free  from  vicious  habits,  that  little 
trouble  is  experienced  in  breaking  them  to  the  harness.  Thev 
possess  a  tolerat-ly  lively  temperament,  but  are  not  fast  Th:  y 
Seem  pirticuhu-ly  adapted  to  carrying  heavy  weights  at  a  med  \.'.n 
rale,  beins;  much  l)etter  travelers   than   the  English  draft  hoi  ■    , 


20 


The  Horse   Farrier. 


and  not  so  gool  as  the  Hackney.  The}^  are  much  liked  by  the 
stage  proprietois  of  France,  and  they  are  very  generally  employed 
by  them  in  haulinp^  coaches  u<ed  in  that  country  for  the  transpor- 
tation of  the  mails  and  pHSsen!.;;ers.  The  rale  of  travel  is  from 
7  to  9  miles  the  hour,  tliev  aie  nearly  10  hiinds  hich.  and  weiiih, 
from  1000  to  1200  lbs. 

The  Kii'pfcst  specimens  of  the  breed  make  excellent  animals  for 
quick  and  heavy  draft.  The  Normandy  carriers  travel  with  a  team 
of  four  horses,  and  from  fourteen  to  twenty  two  miles  per  day, 
with  a  load  of  90,000  weight.  But  few  of  these  horses  have  as 
yet  been  imported  to  the   United  States, 


^^^ 


A   CANADIAN"     HOUSE. 

THE  CANADIAN  HORSE. 
There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  Canadian  Horse  is  of  Nor- 
man French  descent,  as  in  very  many  of  his  characteristics  he 
displaj's  a  strikin:;  resemblance  to  tiios3  horst^.  Indeed,  the 
principal  diference  between  them  consists  in  t!ie  inferior  size- 
of  the  Canadian,  which  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  little  atten- 
tion that  has  been  paid  to  breediii:^  theui.  the  r^'gun  of  climate, 
and  the  scanty' fare  upon  which  they  live.  T!iey  are  foun  I  chiefly 
in  the  province  of  Canada,  though  met  wiih  in  consi-ierable 
numbers  through  the  Northern  Stites.     In  so  ne  parts  of  Canada 


Thr   Draft  1Ior.sk.  21 

ihcy  have  been  crossed  vrith  the  Engh'sli  race  horse,  with 
♦  ery  decided  benefit.  Many  pacers  are  found  among  them,  and 
these  make  excellent  saddle  horses  for  short  journeys,  and  are 
sometimes  very  f;ist.  foi-  a  short  distance.  No  pacing  horse  can 
maintain  a  high  rate  of  speed  for  a  long  time.  Some  of  tlieni 
have  proved  fast  trotters,  but  have  generally  shown  some  traces 
of  racing  blood.  Moscow,  formerly  owned  by  Gen.  Dunham, 
v.-as  a  Canadian  horse,  brei  near  the  head  of  Lake  Champlain. 
He  was  one  of  the  fastest  horses  in  the  country  at  that  time.  It 
is  said  that  his  dam  was  by  Sir  Walter,  a  thorough  bred  horse. 

Canadian  horses  arc  \or.g  lived,  easily  kept,  and  exceedingly 
hardy  and  good  tempered.  They  make  excellent  horses  for  woik 
on  the  farm,  and  when  large  enough,  are    good   for   heavy  draft. 

They  are  usually  fi-om  13  1-2  tol4  1-2  hands  high,  and  weigh 
from  800  to  1000  lbs.  Considerable  numbers  of  these  horses  are 
shipped  every  year  to  the  Southern  States,  and  to  the  West  Indies 
where  they  are  used  to  cultivate  cot! on  and  sugar. 

DRAFT     HORSES. 

We  have  in  the  United  States  no  distinct  breeds  of  draft  hors- 
es, and  very  little  attention  is  now  paid  to  breeding  horses  that  are 
adapted  solely  to  purposes  of  draft  The  Canestago  horses,  bred 
chiefly  in  Pennsylvania,  are  the  nearest  approach  to  this,  and  pri- 
or to  the  construction  of  railroads  they  were  in  much  demand. 
Like  the  English  draft  horses,  thc}^  are  descended  principally  from 
the  Flemish  horses,  crossed  with  varieties  of  the  English,  which 
have  at  various  times  been  imported.  The  demand  for  these  hor- 
ses has  of  late  years  almost  entirely  ceased,  and  the  breed  are  rap- 
uJly  disappearing  They  are  generally  bay,  and  sometimes  brown 
or  black,  but  rarely  any  brighter  color.  They  are  often  over  sev- 
enteen hands  high.  The  quarters  are  generally  good,  the  shoul- 
ders ample  and  well  phiced,  the  neck  rather  long  and  the  liead 
good.  The  limbs  are  usually  well  shaped,  but  are  often  too  long, 
and  they  are  inclined  to  be  too  light  in  the  bressel.  They  are 
dull  travelers.  Few  horses  exhibit  greater  docility  and  tractability, 
and  their  patience  in  bad  spots,  and  unwavering  willingness  to 
exert  themselves,  render  them  very  valuable  for  purposes  of  slow 
draft.  In  some  parts  of  the  conntr}^  draft  horses  are  bred  by 
crossing  mares  of  the  common  stock  with  stallions  imported  from 
Europe. 

The  Cleveland  Bay  Horse  is  now  nearly  extinct.  They 
are  distinguished  by  their  good  figure  activity  and  great  strength. 
They  have  been  known  to  carry  more  than  700  lbs.  60  miles  in 
24  hours,  and  to  perform  this  journey  four  times  in  a  week,  and 
mill  horses  have  carried  900  lbs.  for  3  miles. 


22 


The  Horse  Farrier. 


A   CLYDESDALE     HOUSE. 

Fifty  years  since,  the  coach  horse  most  in  repute  in  England 
was  obtained  by  crossing  the  Cleveland  mare  with  a  three-fourth 
or  a  thorough  bred  stallion.  They  are  much  used  on  the  coach 
es  in  England,  and  their  average  speed  is  about  ten  miles  per 
hour.  Some  of  these  horses  have  been  imported  into  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  within  the  past  ten  years  into  Maryland.  They 
h;ive  not  been  bred  fruui  sufficiently  as  3'et,  to  warrant  a  confident 
fn>  nion  as  to  the  character  of  the  animals  produced  by  the  cross 
with  our  native  stock.  It  seems,  however,  fair  to  presume  that 
t''(\v  will  prove  valuable  horses  for  heavy  farm  woik,  and  for 
ail  purposes  of  quick  but   heavy  draft. 

Ttiii  Clydesdale  Horses  are  deservedly  esteem-jd  for  the  cart 
and  fur  the  plow  on  heavy  soil.  They  arc  strong,  hardy,  stead}-, 
true  pullers,  of  sound  constitution,  and  from  fourteen  to  sixteen 
hands  high.  They  are  broad,  thick,  heav}^,  compact,  well  made 
for  (hiraliilit}-,  health,  and  power.  They  have  sturdy  legs,  strong 
shoulders,  back,  and  hips,  and  a  light  face  and  head. 

THE  MORGAN  HORSE. 

This  American  variety  of  horse  is,  perhaps,  held  in  higher  es- 
timation; and  has  obtained  a  greater  celebrity  than  that  of  any 
other  in  the  United  States,  particularly  in  the  Northern  and  Eas- 
tei-u  States;  and,  we  think,  the  fact  would  sustain  the  assertion, 


The  Morgan  Horse, 


23 


BLACK  HAWS  U^^i^. 

HO  Siorse  kas  been  so  generally  admired,  and  taken  the  number  of 
first  class  prizes  at  our  State  and  ether  Fairs  as  the  Morgan. 

Tiieir  liigh  carriage,  light  and  rapid  step,  lively  and  intelligent 
expression,  and  perfect  docility,  combined  with  courage  and  hardy 
constitution,  have  made  theiii  geaeraliy  favorites  wherever  they 
iiave  been  well  known. 

A  horse  called  Justin  Morgan,  is  universally  admitted  to  have 
been  tiie  founder  of  this  famous  breed.  He  was  folded  near 
Springfield.  !Mass>.  in  1793,  and  was  got  by  a  horse  called  True 
Britton,  or  Beautiful  liay.  His  dam  was  of  a  stock  of  horses 
much  esteemed  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  called  wild  in 
breed.  The  Justin  Morgan  was  about  fourteen  hands  high, 
weighed  aboot  950  lbs.  His  color  was  a  dark  bay,  with  black 
legs,  mane  and  tail.  Head  good,  not  extremely  small,  but  lean 
and  bony ;  forehead  broad  ;  ears,  small  and  rather  wide  apart; 
€yes5  medium  size,  dark  and  prominent,  with  a  spirited  and  pleas- 
ant ezpression  ;  nostrils,  very  large ;  muzzle,  small ;  lips,  close 
and  firm  ;  back,  short;  shoulder  blades  and  hip  bones,  very  long 
and  obliqued  ;  loins,  exceedingly  broad  and  muscular.  His  body 
k  rather  long,  round  aii  1  deep,  close  ribbed  up;  chest,  deep  and 


24  The  Horse  Farrier. 

v^ride  ;  breast,  broad,  projecting  in  front ;  legs,  shorty  close-jointed 
thin,  but  very  wide,  hard,  and  free  from  meat ;  muscles  remarka- 
bly large  for  a  horse  of  his  size. "  His  hair  was  short,  soft  and 
glossy  ;  a  little  long  hair  about  the  fetlocks  ;  feet  small,  but  well 
shaped.  He  was  a  very  fast  walker  ;  in  trotting,  his  gait  is  low 
and  smooth,  his  step  short  and  nervous.  He  was  not  what  is 
calledj  in  these  days,  a  fast  horse,  though  it  is  claimed  by  some 
that  he  could  trot  a  mile  in  three  minutes.  His  proud,  bold  and 
fearless  style  of  movement,  his  vigorous,  untiring  action  have,  per- 
haps, never  been  surpassed. 

He  was  thoroughly  trained  to  the  saddle,  and  was  a  great 
favorite  with  military  men,  as  a  parade  horse,  and  scarcely  a  mili- 
tary review  took  place  in  that  section  of  the  country  where  he 
was  owned,  of  which  he  was  not  a  prominent  attractive  feature. 
He  was  perfectly  gentle,  docile,  loved  to  be  groomed  and  caressed,, 
but  disliked  children  about  him ;  had  an  inveterate  hatred  for  dogs  j 
if  loose,  always  chased  them  the  instant  he  saw  them  j  and  was 
an  eager  and  nimble  traveler,  patient  in  bad  spots,  and  celebrated 
for  his  willingness  to  do  his  best,  and  for  his  great  power  at  what 
is  called  a  '•  dead  lift."  He  died  in  Chelsea,  Vt.,  in  1S21,  at  the 
age  of  29  years,  from  the  efieets  of  a  kick  received  from  a  horso 
which  was  running  loose  with  him  in  .the  yard.  Previous  to  this, 
he  was  perfectly  sound,  and  free  from  blemish.  His  appearance- 
was  remarkably  fresh  and  youthful,  a  life  of  hardship  and  seve- 
rest toil  had  not  broken  his  constitution  or  impaired  his  courage. 
Age  had  not  quenched  his  spirit,  nor  dampened  the  ardor  of  his 
temper.     His  eye  was  still  bright,  his  step  firm  and  elastic. 

All  the  immediate  descendants  of  this  remarkable  horse  have  a 
striking  resemblance  in  all  his  leading  characteristics.  Each  ex- 
hibits in  a  high  degree  those  qualities  that  have  given  such  cele- 
brity to  their  sire ;  all  had  the  compact  form,  wide  bony  legs^ 
great  energy,  vigorous  health  and  iron  constitution.  This  com- 
pactness of  fornix  nervous  energy,  strength  of  constitution,  docili- 
ty, and  power  of  endurance,  is  exhibited  in  a  high  degree  by  the 
Morgan  of  the  present  day..  There  has  been,  and  are  now,  doubt- 
less, more  "fast  horses"'  of  the  Morgan  breed  than  of  any  other 
one  variety  in  the  United  States.  Among  them  may  be  named 
•'Fanny  Jenks,"  (who  trotted  100  miles  in  9  hours  25  minutes;) 
'•  Black  Hawk,"  (who  trotted  5  miles  in  16  minutes;)  the  celebra- 
ted "  Lady  Sutton,'^  (who  trotted  2  miles  in  5  minutes  17  sec- 
onds;) " Blue  Morgan/'  ''Flying  Morgan,"  and  the  matchless 
Lansett,  the  fastest  trotting  gelding  that  has  ever  appeared  on 
the  turf. 


The  Trotting  Horse*  25 

These  horses  are  particularly  well  adapted  to  pleasure  driving 
in  light  carriages.  They  are  not  large  enough  for  purposes  of 
heavy  draft,  and  rarely  move  in  any  other  pace  than  a  walk  or  a 
trot    The}^  do  not  make  good  saddle  horses. 

THE  TROTTING  HORSE 

The  trotting  horse  is  bred  and  trained  successfully  only  in  the 
United  States.  The  English,  with  all  their  taste  for  the  sports 
of  the  turf,  and  their  skill  in  breeding  the  race  horse,  have  failed 
to  produce  any  trotters  which  in  this  country  would  rank  higher 
than  second  or  third  class  animals.  The  best  trotting  ever  done 
in  England  or  on  the  continent,  has  been  performed  by  Ameri- 
can horses,  and  these  were  not  considered  with  us  first  class 
animals.  The  French  Emperor,  who  formally  spent  some  time  in 
this  country,  seems  well  aware  of  their  superiority,  and  keeps  in 
his  stables  some  fifteen  or  twenty  American  horses. 

Strictly  speaking,  we  have  no  distinct  breed  of  trotting  horses 
in  this  country.  In  examining  the  besi  trotters  in  the  country, 
we  are  struck  with  the  great  dissimilarity  of  form,  temperament, 
and  general  characteristics,  and  the  little  evidence  of  any  rela- 
tionship in  blood.  If,  for  example,  we  compare  Lady  Suffolk  and 
Lady  Sutton,  for  the  first  class  trotters  ten  years  since,  the  dif- 
ference in  their  form,  temperament  and  style  of  movement  and 
general  appearance  will  be  very  apparent  ;  indeed,  they  exhibit 
scarcely  any  characteristics  except  speed,  which  were  common  to 
both.  So  with  the  two  animals  confessedly  at  the  head  of 
the  list  of  trotters  in  the  country  at  the  present  time.  Flora  Tem- 
ple and  Lancet.  Scarcely  any  resemblance  can  be  traced  between 
th«m  except  in  their  speed,  and  yet  in  this  latter  respect  there  is 
little  to  choose  between  them.  This  dissimilarity  in  the  form, 
temperament,  style  of  movement  and  general  appearance  of  our 
trotting  horses  would  lead  us  to  infer  that  they  are  descended 
from  breeds  or  families  of  horses  of  widely  different  characters. 
Such  is  the  fact,  and  there  is  scarcely  a  family  or  strain  of  horses 
in  the  oountry  which  has  not  a  trotting  representative.  But  al- 
though every  family  or  strain  of  horses  may  have  its  trotters, 
comparativly  few  are  noted  for  producing  what  sporting  men  call 
''  flying."  The  trot  is  an  unnatural  pace  to  the  horse,  and  in  his 
wild  state  he  moves  only  in  a  walk  or  gallop.  Had  it  been  im- 
possible for  man  to  teach  him  this  pace,  he  would  have  proved  a 
far  less  useful  servant  than  he  is,  and  we  should  be  compelled  to 
use  him  chiefly  under  the  saddle. 

Careful  training  and  constant  use  in  harness  for  many  genera- 
itious  so  developes  and  improves  and  fixes  this  pace  that  the  off- 


26 


The  Horse  Farrier. 


LADY     SUFFOLK. 

spring  at  an  early  age  manifest  their  precocity  in  this  respect. 
Hence  the  breeder  who  wishes  to  obtain  rapid  and  graceful  trot- 
ting horses,  will  select  both  the  sire  and  the  dame  from  those 
families  or  breeds  of  horses  which  have  exhibited  superior  excel- 
lence in  this  .  particular,  and  he  should  also  be  sure  that  the 
animals  selected  exhibit  peculiar  excellence  in  this  respect.  Not 
that  they  must  be  what  is  called  "fast,"  but  they  should  be  nim- 
ble, lively  steppers,  should  move  easily  and  gracefully,  and  exhib- 
it that  oneness  and  quickness  of  temper  which  renders  them  at 
all  times  perfectly  manageable.  Pursuing  such  a  course,  the 
breeder  may  reasonably  expect  to  produce  animals  the  average 
of  trotting  horses,  but  if  he  expects  every  colt  will  prove  a  "fl}'- 
er  "  he  will  be  pretty  sure  to  be  disappointed,  for  by  the  utmost 
care  and  skill  a  few  only  will  prove  fast. 

The  training  of  the  trotting  horse  requires  much  time  and 
skill,  and  differs  very  materially  from  the  race  horse.  In  train- 
ing the  race  horse,  the  principal  object  sought  is  to  put  the  ani- 
mal in  such  condition  as  will  most  fully  develope  his  muscKlar 
powers.  The  pace  is  a  natural  one,  and  comparatively  little  can 
be  done  to  improve  it. 

In  training  the  trotter,  not  only  must  he.  be  put  in  the  same 
phenial  condition,  but  in  addition  to  this,  he  must  be  taught  to 
oxort  his  powers  in  a  pace  altogether  unnatural  to  him,  and  one 
whicli,  when  pushed,  it  is  difficult  for  him  to  keep. 


Ponies.  27 

WILD  OR  PRAIRIE  HORSE. 
The  wild  Horse  of  South  America  descended  from  two  stallions 
and  four  mares,  which  the  early  Spanish  adventurers  left  there. 
The  wild  horses,  which  abound  in  the  Southwestern  States  are 
doubtless  sprung  from  the  same  stock,  which  were  of  the  celebra- 
ted Andalusian  breed,  derived  from  the  Moorish  Barb.  The  prairie 
horses  are  often  captured,  and  when  domesticated  are  found  to  be 
capable  of  great  endurance.  They  are  not  however,  recommended 
by  the  symmetry  or  elegance  of  apperancefor  which  their  type  is 
so  greatly  distinguished,  being  generally  rather  small  and  scrubby. 

SHETLAND,  MUSTANG,  AND  INDIAN  PONIES. 

The  Shetland  are  the  most  remarkable  of  all  the  pony  races, 
and  the  best  adapted  for  the  principal  purpose  to  which  they  are 
used,  for  learning  little  boys  and  girls  to  ride.  They  are  natives 
of  all  the  Scottish  isles,  and  rarely  exceed  three  feet  four  inches 
in  heighth,  and  none  are  considered  truly  bred  which  exceed  three 
feet  eight  inches.  Many  are  found  which  do  not  exceed  thirty  two 
inches;  their  color  is  usually  black,  are  exceedingly  tough,  strong, 
hardy,  spirited,  docile,  intelligent,  affectionate,  and  free  of  disease  ; 
they  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  Norman  and  Canadian  horse, 
literally  made  of  iron,  will  subsist  on  almost  nothing  ;  in  their 
native  country,  wild  meadow  hay  or  barley  straw  is  a  dainty  for 
them.  Their  speed  is  not  great  but  will  go  along  at  a  sort  of  a 
waddling  run,  their  fifty  miles  a  day  for  weeks  under  a  weight  that 
would  bother  some  horses,  that  is  150  to  200  lb.  or  300  lb,  in  a 
wagon.  They  are  not  often  of  the  pure  breed  imported  into  this 
country. 

The  Mexican  Mustang  ponies  are  of  Spanish  origin,  are  found 
chiefly  west  of  the  Mississippi.  They  possess  considerable  spirit, 
and  vigor,  their  height  is  usually  about  four  feet  six  inches,  may  be 
found  of  all  colors,  but  lack  in  symmetry,  hardihood,  and  endurance. 

The  Northern  Indian  pony  prevails  from  Canada  downward 
west  of  the  lake's — never  exceed  four  feet  six  inches  in  height,  they 
are  short  barreled,  round  ribbed,  strong-limbed  short  and  thick 
necked,  with  legs,  fetlocks  and  feet  literally  of  iron,  his  mane,  tail, 
and  forelocks,  very  heavy..  In  a  word,  he  is  the  pure  Norman  vrar- 
horse,  of  the  largest  and  oldest  type  razeed  into  a  pony.  They 
are  in  every  respect,  but  size  and  speed,  all  that  could  be  desired. 
They  are  sure  footed  and  as  easily  fed  as  a  mule,  and  fifty  to  one 
more  enduring  of  cold.  At  their  own  pace,  from  five  to  seven 
miles  an  hour,  they  will  jog  along,  perfectly  unwearied,  for  fifty 
miles  a  day,  week  after  week,  with  a  load  of  160  lb  on  the  saddle, 
or  300  in  a  wagon.  They  are  very  docile,  intelligent  as  dogs,  good- 
tempered  when  not  stallions,  and  extraordinarily  high-couraged. 


CHAPTER    II. 


BREEDING  AND  MANAGEMENT  GF  COLTS. 


ErvEEDING. 

That  a  proper  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  breeding,  is 
a  matter  of  primary  and  vast  importance,  is  a  generally- 
admitted  fact,  and  requires  no  argument  to  prove,  as  it 
is  only  by  this  means  we  can  maintain  the  present 
qualities  of  our  improved  breeds,  and  prevent  the  race 
from  degenerating,  and  correct  and  improve  their  im- 
perfections. And  it  is  equally  true  that  there  are  many 
erroneous  views  entertamed  and  practiced  by  many  of 
our  Farmers.  Ko  person  should  attempt  breeding, 
particularly  the  horse,  without  first  making  it  a  matter 
of  investigation,  patient  study,  and  inquiry.  The  first 
axiom  we  would  lay  down,  says  Youatt,  is,  that  hke  will 
produce  like,  that  the  progeny  will  inherit  the  general 
or  mingled  qualities  of  the  parents.  There  are  but  few 
diseases  by  which  either  of  the  parents  are  affected 
that  the  foal  does  not  inherit  or  show  a  predisposition 
to.  Broken  wind,  spavins,  ring-bones,  founders,  bhnd- 
ness,  roaring  and  the  hke,  are  transmissible,  there  can 
be  no  question  not  excepting  ill-usage  and  hard  work. 


Like  Begetds  Like.  29 

These  blemishes  may  not  appear  in  the  immediate  pro- 
geny, but  will  in  the  next  or  more  distant  generation. 
From  this  arises  the  necessity  of  some  knowledge  of 
both  the  sire  and  the  dam.  The  most  careless  breeders 
have  observed  qnahties  appearing  in  their  stock  that 
belonged  to  neither  sire  nor  dam,  but  which  belonged 
to  their  ancestry  further  back;  such  as  a  vicious 
temper,  some  peculiar  mark,  white  face  or  feet,  Not 
Qnly  are  diseases  inherited  by  the  offspring,  but  the 
form,  spirit,  constitution  and  temper,  *This  maxim, 
however,  that  *'  like  begets  like,"  is  only  true  in  part,  as 
there  is  a  constant  tendency  to  change,  arising  from 
difference  in  food.  Change  of  climate,  or  other  physi- 
cal conditions  to  which  they  might  be  exposed,  might 
naturally  be  expected  to  produce  considerable  cor- 
respondhig  modifications  in  the  form,  size,  color,  and 
coating  of  animals  ;  as  it  is  well  known  that  cattle 
generally  become  very  large  and  fat  when  reared  for 
many  generations  on  moist  rich  soUs,  where  good 
pasturage  abounds,  but  are  distinguished  by  the  short- 
ness of  their  legs  ;  while  on  drier  situations,  where  the 
herbage  is  sparse,  their  whole  bulk  is  less,  and  their 
limbs  more  muscular  and  strong,  A  country  of  heaths, 
or  of  other  innutritions  plants,  will  not  produce  a  horse 
so  large  nor  so  strong  as  one  of  plentiful  herbage,  as  is 
manifested  between  those  reared  on  bleak  mountains 
and  fertile  plains,  high  latitudes  and  more  temperate 
climes,  sandy  deserts  and  watered  vales.  A  change  of 
situation  in  the  one   case,  after  a  succession  of  gen- 

*D.  J.  Bowne,  in  Patent  Office  Official  Report,  1854, 


30  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

erations,  not  only  diminislies  the  size  of  the  animal, 
but  affects  the  character  and  form  of  his  body^  head^ 
and  limbs.  Thus,  if  a  London  dray  horse  be  conveyed 
to  Arabia,  and  subjected  to  the  same  influences  to 
which  the  native  breed  of  that  country  is  esj^osed,  in 
the  course  of  some  generations  he  Tvill  present  the 
leading  characters  of  the  Arabian  horse.  On  the  con- 
trary, if  the  race  thus  changed  be  conveyed  again  to 
England,  in  the  course  of  several  generations,  it  -will 
gradually  acquire  the  properties  it  formerly  possess- 
ed. This  fact  would  seem  to  prove  that  the  Ara- 
bian horse  cannot  esist  in  perfection  in  any  of  the 
northern  or  western  countries  of  Europe,  and  that  the 
humidity  of  the  climate  and  the  influence  indirectly 
arising  from  that  cause,  are  the  principal  reasons  of  this 
change.  Similar  instances  might  be  given  in  reference 
to  the  changes  which  have  been  observed  in  the  sheep, 
the  goat,  and  the  hog.  The  former,  when  subjected 
to  the  climate  of  the  West  Indies,  from  Thibet,  Spain, 
or  Vermont,  where  their  fleeces  are  fine,  delicate,  and 
soft,  after  a  few  years  are  entirely  covered  with  rough, 
coarse  hair,  resembling  that  of  the  goat. 

Breeding  should  be  conducted  with  some  definite 
object  in  view.  There  is  no  gi-eater  error  than  the 
common  remark  of  some  farmers,  of  some  wretched 
under-sized,  ewe-necked,  cat-hammer  wreck  of  a  mare, 
broken-winded,  rmg-boned,  and  spavined,  *'  Oh,  she 
will  do  to  raise  a  colt  out  of!"  She  will  do  !  but  vvhat 
vriU  the  colt  be  ?  It  will  not  be  worth  the  mare's  grass, 
let  alone  the  price  of  the  stallion's  service.  But  it  is 
a  good  feature  that  there  is  a  growing  anxiety  among 
fkrmers  to  raise  valuable  stock.     This  is  attributable  to 


Breeds  in  Horses.  31 

the  fact,  that  it  is  not  only  as  cheap  to  keep  a  good 
horse  as  a  bad  one,  but  in  reality  it  is  much  cheaper. 
The  prime  cost  is  the  only  difference  to  be  considered ; 
the  cost  of  stable  room,  keep  and  care  is  identical, 
while  the  wear  and  tear  is  infinitely  less,  in  the  sound, 
able,  useful  animal,  than  in  the  broken  jade.  The  work 
which  can  be  done,  and  the  value  earned  by  the  one, 
is  in  no  possible  relation  to  that  of  the  other.  The 
horse  bought  at  the  age  of  four  years  at  $300,  when  he 
has  attained  the  age  of'eight  is  worth  twice  the  money, 
either  for  work  or  for  sale,  to  the  horse  that  was 
bought  for  a  third  of  that  price,  when  he  has  attained 
the  same  age. 

What  is  called  breed  in  horses,  consists  in  the  supe- 
rior organization  of  the  nervous  and  thoracic  organs, 
as  compared  with  the  abdominal ;  the  chest  is  deeper 
and  more  capacious  ;  and  the  brain  and  nerves  are 
more  highly  developed.  More  air  is  respired,  more 
blood  purified,  more  nervous  energy  expended. — 
Whilst  the  heavy  cart-horse  may  be  considered  to 
possess  the  lymphatic  temperament,  the  blood  horse 
may  be  regarded  as  the  emblem  of  the  nervous  and 
sanguine  temperament  combined  ;  the  latter,  however, 
predominating.  When  the  nervous  temperament  has 
the  ascendance,  the  animal  will  carry  but  little  flesh, 
but  will  go  till  he  drops,  never  seeming  to  tire.  He 
will,  however,  take  too  much  out  of  himself,  become 
thinner,  and  is  what  is  called  a  hot  horse.  When  the 
sanguine  temperament  greatly  prevails,  the  horse  will 
have  great  muscular  j^owers,  but  not  much  inclination 
to  put  them  to  the  stretch.     When  the  lymphatic  tem- 


32  The  Horse  Farrier. 

perament  has  superior  influence,  the  animal,  though 
looking  fresh  and  fat,  and  starting  well  at  first,  will 
soon  flag  and  knock  up,  and  will  rather  endure  the 
lash  than  make  an  extra  exertion.  It  is  the  happy 
combination  of  these  three  temperaments  that  make  a 
perfect  horse,  when  severe  exertion  is  demanded.  The' 
full  development  of  the  abdominal  organs  is  essential, 
inasmuch  as  it  is  through  the  food  that  both  the  mus- 
cular system  and  the  nervous  energy  is  furnished.  If 
the  digestion  is  weak,  the  other  powers  will  be  in- 
efliciently  supplied.  The  sanguineous  organs  are  need- 
ed to  furnish  the  muscular  powers,  and  the  nervous  sys- 
tem is  demanded  to  furnish  the  muscles  with  the  re- 
quisite energy  and  capability  of  endurance.  What  is 
called  bottom  in  the  horse,  is  neither  more  nor  less  thau 
the  abundant  supply  of  nervous  energy,  the  muscles 
being  at  the  same  time  well  developed. 

There  are  two  errors  commonly  committed  by  per- 
sons selecting  animals  from  which  to  breed.  Some  pay 
too  much  attention  to  pedigree,  and  too  little  to  form, 
spirit,  etc.  The  correct  theory  is,  though  form  and 
character  is  of  primary  importance,  the  blood  should 
never  be  neglected.  The  great  joouit  to  be  aimed  at 
m  a  horse  for  all  work,  is  the  combination  in  the  same 
animal,  of  maximum  of  speed,  comj^atible  with  suffi- 
cient size,  bone,  strength,  and  solid  power,  to  carry 
heavy  weights,  draw  large  loads,  and  to  secure  to  the 
stock  the  probability  of  not  inheriting  deformity  or 
disease  from  either  parent.  Breed  as  much  as  possible 
with  pure  blood,  of  the  right  kind,  and  breed  what  is 
technically  called  up,  not  down,  that  is  to  say,  by  breed- 


Breed  with  Pure  Blood.      33 

ing  the  mare  to  a  male  of  superior,  not  inferior  blood 
to  herself;  except  where  it  is  desired  to  breed  hke  to 
like,  as  Morgan  to  Morgan,  for  the  purpose  of  perpet- 
uting  a  pure  stream  of  any  particular  variety  which  is 
needful.  A  half-breed  mare  should  never  be  put  to  a 
half-breed  stallion,  as  in  that  case  the  product  m  nine 
cases  out  of  v^n  degenerates  below  the  dam,  whereas 
if  she  be  bred  to  a  thorough-bred  stallion,  the  product 
vn\l  be  superior.  And  the  error  is,  to  breed  from  mares 
that  have  become  noted  for  their  speed.  Some  persons 
will  pick  up  some  long-legged,  rangy,  broken  down, 
trotting  mare,  which  could 'j^erhaps  trot  her  mile  in 
2.30,  thinking  to  produce  something  very  fine.  Xothing 
can  be  more  ill-judged,  as  in  the  majority  of  instances 
it  is  sure  to  ^nd  in  disappomtment.  A  mare,  with 
all  the  best  blood  in  her  veins,  if  she  has  not  got  good 
shape  and  good  points,  is  not  fit  for  a  stallion. 

And  the'great  and  common  error  in  breeding,  is  to 
cross  a  comj^act  dam  with  a  large  sire,  the  object 
being  to  increase  the  size  of  the  offspring  above  that  of 
the  dam ;  the  result  is  almost  sure  to  end  in  disappoint- 
ment. This  has  been  attemj^ted  in  England,  and  has 
proved  a  failure.  The  rule  deduced  from  experience,  is, 
the  dam  must  be  as  lar2:e  or  larsjer  than  the  sire. — 
This  is  a  historical  fact.  The  history  of  breeding 
shows  that  to  improve  a  breed,  we  must  select  the  best 
formed,  largest  mares,  and  cross  them  with  medium 
sized,  compact,  muscular  staUions. 

Size  is  not  the  measure  of  power.  Some  horses  that 
weig^h  900  lbs.  will  exceed  in  streng^th  and  endurance 
others  of  1,200  lbs.,  or  more  ;  and  of  those  horses  that 
have  •  distinguished  themselves    as   trotters,   a  large 


34  The  Horse  Farrier. 

majority  have  been  of  medium  size.  Shortness  of  legs 
with  compactness  of  form  is  indispensable  to  great 
endurance.  The  size  of  the  muscles  of  a  horse,  other 
things  bemg  equal,  deternmies  his  power.  In  selecting 
a  stallion,  aim  to  get  one  that  excells  in  the  points  that 
the  mare  is  deficient  in,  and  you  Tvash  to  avoid  in  the 
offspring.  Let  him  exhibit  courage  and  endurance,  rath- 
er than  speed.  No  one  stallion  is  best  adapted  to  all 
mares ;  determine,  with  a  matured  judgment,  which 
class  of  animals  your  mare  is  best  calculated  to  produce, 
whether  a  roadster,  coach  horse,  or  draught  animal, 
and  having  determined  this,  use  a  stallion  best  cal- 
culated to  produce  the  thing  reasonably  expected, 
bearing  in  mind  the  rule  that  "  lake  mil  produce 
like."  Breeding,  to  be  successful,  must  be  a  matter  of 
study.  One  point,  says  Youatt,  is,  absolutely  essential, 
it  is  "  compactness" — as  much  goodness  and  strength 
as  possible,  condensed  into  a  little  space. 

"Next  to  compactness,  the  inclination  of  the  shoulder 
wiU  be  regarded.  A  huge  stallion,  with  upright 
shoulders,  never  got  a  capital  hunter  or  hackney. 
From  him  the  breeder  can  obtain  nothing  but  a  cart 
or  dray  horse,  and  that,  perhaps,  spoiled  by  the  op- 
posite form  of  the  mare.  On  the  other  hand,  an  up- 
right shoulder  is  desirable,  if  not  absolutely  necessary, 
when  a  mere  slow  draught-horse  is  required. 

The  condition  of  the  stallion,  is  too  often  over- 
looked by  the  most  of  our  farmers.  By  condition  is  not 
meant  a  high  state  of  fotness,  but  on  the  contrary,  it 
indicates  the  greatest  health  and  strength,  reducing 
all  superfluous  fat,  bringing  the  flesh  into  clear,  hard, 


Condition  of  a  Stallion.         .       35 

md  powerful  muscles.  Too  many  fanners  are  content 
with  the  form  and  figure  of  a  horse,  without  regard  to 
3ondition. 

A  remarkable  case  occurred  in  England,  some  years 
since.  George  the  IV.  owned,  and  was  m  the  habit  of 
riding  as  a  hunter,  a  horse  of  miequaled  excellence. 
His  Royal  Highness  caused  a  few  of  his  mares  to  be 
bred  to  him  in  the  spring,  after  he  had  been  kept  in 
the  highest  condition  as  a  hunter  throughout  the  winter, 
and  the  })roduce,  on  gro^vnng  up,  proved  every  way 
worthy  of  their  sire.  When  His  Royal  Highness  be- 
came seriously  engaged  in  the  cares  of  Government, 
and  therefore  relinquished  the  pleasures  of  the  chase, 
behig  desirous  to  perpetuate  the  fine  qualities  of  this 
stock,  he  ordered  the  horse  to  be  kept  at  Windsor  for 
public  covering,  provided  the  mares  should  be  of  the 
first  quality ;  and  m  order  to  insure  a  sufiicient  number 
of  these,  directed  the  head  groom  to  keep  him  exclu- 
sively for  such,  and  to  make  no  charge,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  customary  groom's-fee  of  half  a  guinea 
each.  The  groom,  anxious  to  pocket  as  many  half 
guineas  as  possible,  published  His  Royaf  Highness's 
liberality,  and  vaunted  the  qualities  of  the  horse,  in 
order  to  persuade  all  he  could  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  benefit.  The  result  was,  the  horse  bemg  kept  with- 
out his  accustomed  exercise  and  in  a  state  of  reple- 
tion, and  serving  upwards  of  a  hundred  mares  yearly, 
the  stock,  although  tolerably  promising  in  their  early 
age,  shot  up  into  lank,  v/eakly,  awkward,  leggy,  good- 
for-nothing  creatures,  to  the  entire  ruin  of  the  horse's 
character  as  a  sire — until  some  gentlemen,  aware  of  the 


36  The  Horse  Farrier. 

cause,  took  pains  to  explain  it,  pro\dng  the  correctness 
of  their  statements  by  reference  to  the  first  of  the 
horse's  get,  produced  under  a  proper  system  of  breed- 
ing, and  which  were  then  in  their  prime,  and  among 
the  best  horses  iu  England.  * 

*'  In  selecting  a  mare,"  says  Youatt,  "  it  is  perhaps 
more  difficult  to  select  a  good  mare  to  breed  from  than  a 
good  horse,  because  she  should  possess  somewhat  op- 
posite qualities.  Her  carcase  should  be  long,  m  order 
to  give  room  for  the  growth  of  tlie  foetus,  and  yet  with 
this  there  should  be  compactness  of  form  and  shortness 
of  leg.  In  frame,  the  mare  should  be  so  formed  as  to 
be  capable  of  carrying  and  well  nourisliing  her  off- 
sprmg ;  tliat  is,  she  should  be  w^hat  is  called  '  roomy.' 
There  is  a  formation  of  the  hips  which  is  particularly 
unfit  for  breeding  purposes,  and  yet  which  is  some- 
times carefully  selected,  because  it  is  considered  ele- 
gant ;  this  is  the  level  and  straight  hi]),  in  which  the 
tail  is  set  on  very  high,  and  the  end  of  the  haunch  bone 
is  nearly  on  a  level  with  the  projection  of  the  hij)  bone. 
Xearly  the  opposite  form  is  the  more  desirable.  She  re- 
quires such  a  shape  and  make  as  is  well  adapted  for  the 
purpose  she  is  intended  for,"  that  is  to  say,  for  pro- 
ducing colts  of  the  style  and  form  she  is  intended  to 
produce.  We  will  add,  that  she  must  have  four  good 
legs  under  her,  and  those  legs  standing  as  a  foundation 
on  four  good,  well  shaped,  large  feet,  OjDened-heeled 
and  by  no  means  flat-soled.  That  she  should  have  a 
good,  lean,  bony  head,  small  cased,  broad  fronted,  well 
set  on,  upon  a  high,  well   carved  neck,  thii»  at    its 


Selection  of  Mares.  37 

junction  with  the  head ;  high  withers,  thia  shoulders, 
and,  above  all,  long,  sloping  shoulders.  A  straight 
shoulder  is  an  abomination;  it  renders  speed  impos- 
sible, and  gives  a  rigid,  inflexible  motion,  often  pro- 
ducing the  bad  fault  of  stumbling.  She  should  be 
^vide-chested  and  deep  in  the  heart  place.  Her 
quarters  should  be  strong,  well  let  down,  long  and 
sickle-shaped  above  the  hocks.  It  is  better  that  she  go 
with  her  hocks  somewhat  too  wide  apart  than  too  near 
together — the  former  point  indicating  power,  the 
latter  weakness,  of  a  bad  kind.  It  has  been  shown  that 
a  breed  mare  may,  nay,  should  be  considerable  longer 
in  the  back  than  one  would  choose  a  working  horse  to 
be,  but  if  she  be  particularly  so,  it  is  desirable  to  put 
her  to  a  particularly  short-backed  and  close-coupled 
horse. 

The  next  thing  to  be  observed  by  the  horse-breeder, 
in  raising  stock  of  any  kind,  after  the  blood  and  form 
of  the  mare  and  the  qualities  of  the  stalHon,  is  the 
temper  and  condition  of  the  dam.  The  former,  be- 
cause nothing  is  more  decidedly  transmissible  in  the 
blood  than  temper ;  the  second,  because,  unless  she  is 
in  good  health  and  vigor,  it  is  impossible  that  she  can 
produce  vigorous  and  healthy  ofispring. 

The  first  tune  a  mare  is  to  be  covered,  it  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  that  the  staUion  should  be  the  best 
that  can  be  procured,  as  instances  have  been  known 
where  the  staUion  having  possessed  some  striking  points, 
the  colts  of  the  mare  have  shown  those  points  for  several 
colts  after,  though  a  different  stallion  was  used. 


38  The  Horse  Farrier. 

Under  no  possible  circumstances  breed  from  a  stal- 
lion which  has  any  affection  of  any  kind  of  the  respi- 
ratory organs,  whether  seated  in  the  lungs  or  in  the 
windpipe,  or  from  one  which  has  any  affection  of  the 
eyes,  unless  it  be  the  direct  result  of  an  accident,  such 
as  a  blow  or  a  jrancture,  nor  even  then,  if  the  accident, 
having  occurred  to  one  eye,  the  other  has  sympatheti- 
cally followed  suit;  and,  on  the  other  side,  we  should  say 
on  no  account  breed  from  a  mare  affected  in  either  way, 
unless  she  be  possessed  of  some  excellences  so  extra, 
ordinary  and  countervailing,  that  for  the  sake  of  pre- 
serving the  stock  one  would  be  willing  to  run  some 
risk  of  having  a  worthless  animal  for  his  own  use,  in 
the  hope  of  possibly  having  one  free  from  the  dreaded 
defect  and  of  superlative  excellence. 

Previous  to  sending  the  mare  to  the  horse  she  should 
be  got  into  the  most  perfect  state  of  health  and  con- 
dition, by  moderate  exercise,  abundance  of  good,  nutri- 
tous  food  and  warm  stabling.  It  is  not  desirable  that 
she  should  be  in  a  pampered  state  produced  by  hot 
stables  or  extraordinary  clothing,  that  she  should  have 
the  short  fine  coat  or  the  blooming  and  glowing  con- 
dition of  the  skin,  for  which  one  would  look  in  a  race- 
horse about  to  contend  for  a  four  mile  heat — not  that 
she  should  be  in  that  wiry  form  of  sinew  and  steel-like 
hardiness  of  muscle,  which  is  only  the  result  of  train- 
ing. Still  less  desirable  is  it  she  should  be  overloaded 
with  fat,  especially  that  soft  fat  generated  by  artifi- 
cial feeding. 

The  temper  is  of  great  impoltauce,  by  whicli  must 


Condition  of  Mares.  39 

be  understood,  not  that  gentleness  at  grass,  which  may 
lead  the  breeder's  family  to  pet  the  mare,  but  such  a 
temper  as  will  serve  for  the  purpose  of  the  rider,  and 
will  answer  to  the  stimulus  of  the  voice,  whip  or  spur. 
A  craven  or  a  rogue  is  not  to  be  thought  of  as  the 
mother  of  a  fliinily ;  and  if  a  mare  belong  to  a  breed 
which  is  remarkable  for  refusing  to  answer  to  the  call 
of  the  rider,  she  should  be  consigned  to  any  task 
rather  than  the  stud  farm.  Sulkiness  and  savageness 
are  likewise  to  be  avoided,  whether  in  staUion  or  mare. 
From  the  time  of  covering,  to  within  a  few  days  of 
the  expected  period  of  foaling,  the  cart-mare  may  be 
kept  at  moderate  labor,  not  only  without  injury,  but 
with  decided  advantage.  It  will  then  be  prudent  to 
release  her  from  work,  and  keep  her  near  home,  and 
under  the  frequent  inspection  of  some  careful  person. 
When  nearly  half  the  time  of  pregnancy  has  elapsed, 
the  mare  should  have  a  Uttle  better  food.  She  should 
be  allowed  one  or  two  feeds  of  grain  in  the  day.  This 
is  about  the  period  when  they  are  accustomed  to  slink 
their  foals,  or  when  abortion  occurs  :  the  eye  of  the 
owner  should,  therefore,  be  frequently,  upon  them. 
Good  feeding  and  moderate  exercise  will  be  the  best 
preventives  of  this  mishap.  The  mare  that  has  once 
aborted,  is  liable  to  a  repetition  of  the  accident,  and 
therefore  should  never  be  suffered  to  be  with  other 
mares  between  the  fourth  and  fifth  months  :  for  such 
is  the  power  of  imagination  or  of  sympathy  in  the 
mare,  that  if  one  suffers  abortion,  others  in  the  same 
pasture  will  too  often  share  the  same  fate.  Farmers 
3 


40  The  llor.si-:  Faiuuer.  •    ' 

wasli,  and  paint,  and  tar  tlicir  stables,  to  prevent  some 
supposed  infection; — the  infection  lies  in  the  imagin- 
ation. 

When  the  period  of  parturition  is  drawing  near,  she 
should  be  watched  and  sliut  up  during  the  night  in  a 
safe  yard  or  loose  box. 

If  the  mare,  whetlier  of  tJie  pure  or  common  breed, 
be  thus  taken  care  of,  and  be  in  good  liealtli  while  in 
foal,  little  danger  will  attend  the  act  of  parturition. 
If  there  is  false  presentation  of  the  fcetus,  or  difficulty 
in  producing  it,  it  will  be  better  to  have  recourse  to  a 
w^ell-mformed  practitioner,  than  to  injure  the  mother 
by  the  violent  and  injurious  attempts  that  are  often 
made  to  reheve  her. 

The  parturition  being  over,  the  mare  should  be 
turned  mto  some  w^eli-sheltered  pasture,  with  a  hovel 
or  shed  to  run  into  when  she  pleases ;  and  if  she  has 
foaled  early,  and  grass  is  scanty,  she  should  have  a 
couple  of  feeds  of  grain  daily.  The  breeder  may  de- 
pend upon  it,  that  nothing  is  gained  by  starving  the 
mother  and  stinting'  the  foal  at  this  time.  It  is  tlie 
most  important  period  of  the  life  of  the  horse  ;  and  if, 
from  false  economy,  his  growth  is  arrested,  his  puny 
form  and  want  of  endurance  w^ill  ever  afterwards  testi- 
fy the  error  that  has  been  committed.  The  grain 
should  be  given  in  a  trough  on  the  ground,  that  the 
foal  may  partake  of  it  with  the  mother.  When  the 
new  grass  is  plentiful,  the  quantity  of  corn  may 
gradually  be  diminished. 

The  mare  will  usually  be  found  again  at  heat  at  or 


After-Management  of  Mares.  41 

before  the  expiration  of  a  month  from  the  time  of  foal- 
ing, when,  if  she  is  principally  kept  for  breeding  pur- 
poses, she  may  be  put  again  to  the  horse.  At  the 
same  time,  also,  if  she  is  used  for  agricultural  purposes, 
she  may  go  again  to  work.  The  foal  is  at  first  shut  in 
the  stable  during  the  hours  of  work  ;  but  as  soon  as  it 
acquires  sufiicient  strength  to  toddle  after  the  mare, 
and  especially  when  she  is  at  slow  work,  it  will  be 
better  for  the  foal  and  the  dam  that  they  should  be  to- 
gether. The  work  will  contribute  to  the  health  of  the 
mother  ;  the  foal  v/ill  more  frequently  draw  the  milk, 
and  thrive  better,  and  will  be  hardy  and  tractable,  and 
gradually  familiarized  with  the  objects  among  vvhich  it 
is  afterwards  to  live.  While  the  mother,  however,  is 
t!iiis  worked,  she  and  the  foal  should  be  well  fed  ;  and 
two  feeds  of  corn,  at  least,  should  be  added  to  the 
green  food  which  they  get  when  turned  out  after  their 
Avork,  and  at  night. 

In  four  or  six  months,  according  to  the  growth  of 
the  foal,  it  may  be  weaned,  and  the  mother  should  be 
put  to  hai-der  work,  and  have  drier  food;  One  or  two 
urine-balls,  or  a  physic  ball,  would  be  useful  in  the  milk, 
should  she  be  troublesome  or  pine  after  the  foal. 

Mares  frequently  produce  colts,  at  fourteen  and 
fifteen  years  of  age,  and  sometunes  twenty.  Experience 
has  proved  that  from  six  to  twelve,  is  the  most  valu- 
able part  of  a  mare's  fife  for  raismg  colts.  They  are  fre. 
quently  incapacitated  by  breeding  too  young. 


42  The  Horse  Farrier. 

BREEDING    FANCY    COLORS. 

The  following  is  taken  from  a  correspondent  in  the 
Albany  Cultivator  ;  as  to  the  correctness  of  the  theory 
we  cannot  vouch:  "In  order  to  obtain  a  cream  color- 
ed colt  from  a  bay  horse  out  of  a  bay  mare,  I  tried  the 
following  experiment,  which  proved  entirely  success- 
ful ;  a  cream  stud  was  first  led  out  and  used  to  tease 
the  mare.  After  putting  blinds  on  the  mare,  the  cream 
was  taken  out  of  the  way,  and  the  bay  horse  used  to 
cover  the  mare,  and  not  seen  by  her,  but  immediately 
returned  to  the  stable,  and  the  cream  colored  horse 
led  right  in  front  of  her,  and  exposed  to  her  view  for 
some  time."  This  may  be  attributable  to  the  nervous 
influence  of  the  dam,  or  what  is  called  the  influence  of 
the  imagination  of  the  dam  on  the  faetus.  It  may 
have  been  something  akin  to  this,  by  the  influence  of 
which,  through  the  medium  of  peeled  rods,  Jacob 
caused  the  cattle  to  be  born  ringed  streaked  and  spot 
ted. 

REARING    AND    il^VNAGEMENT    OF    COLTS. 

Colts  should  be  taken  from  the  dam  v/hen  about  six 
months  old,  if  in  a  good  condition,  and  shut  up  in  a 
house  loose,  or  in  a  small  yard,  (if  the  yard  is  large 
they  are  likely  to  run  themselves  poor,)  with  a  fence 
that  they  cannot  leap.  It  is  at  this  time  they  usually 
acquire  the  habit  of  leaping  which  follows  them  through 
hfe.  They  should  be  kept  out  of  sight  and  hearing  of 
the  dam,  as  much  as  possible.  They  may  be  allowed  to 
re-join  each  other  once  a  day,  for  a  short  time,  in  or- 


Management  of  Colts.  43 

der  that  the  foal  may  empty  the  udder,  and  not  be 
suddenly  deprived  of  its  natural  food. 

They  should  be  fed  with  oat  meal  and  sweet  apples 
shced ;  about  two  pints  of  the  former,  and  two  quarts 
of  the  latter,  three  times  a  day,  with  a  sufficiency  of 
good  timothy  hay.  They  should  eat  out  of  a  manger 
about  as  high  as  they  naturally  hold  their  heads — a 
stable  with  earth  foundation,  kept  dry  T\ith  straw, — 
chaff,  or  leaves  is  preferable — if  on  a  stable  floor,  their 
dung  should  remain  with  occasionally  leveling  off,  and 
provided  with  linter — they  should  be  let  out  daily  for 
exercise,  and  should  not  be  tied  in  the  stable.  Con- 
tinv. .  this  feed  through  the  whiter.  If  fed  oats,  they 
should  be  soaked. 

There  is  no  period  which  is  of  more  importance 
than  the  first  winter.  We  frequently  see  very  prom- 
ising colts  make  poor  horses  from  want  of  proper  man- 
agement when  young.  They  should  on  no  account  be 
allowed  to  get  poor  while  growing,  unless  it  be  on 
grass  when  three  years  old,  for  a  short  time  this  is 
thought  by  some  to  be  beneficial.  No  investment  that 
the  fai-mer  can  make  will  pay  better  than  keep- 
ing colts  in  a  ^r>od  condition.  On  the  other  hand  they 
should  not  be  too  fat,  nor  forced  to  maturity  too  soon, 
or  you  may  give  them  a  kind  of  hot-bed  growth. 

BRIEF   EXPLANATION    OF   TERMS. 

Action. — ^The  paces  of  a  horse.  These  may  be  greatly 
improved  by  judicious  bitting  and  riding. 

Arrests,  or  Arrets. — A  term  given  by  farriers  to  a 
scurfiness  of  the  back  part  of  the  hind-leg. 

Backing. — Mountmg  a  oolt  or  filly  for  the  first  tima 


44  Tae  Horse  Farrier. 

BisHOPixG. — Artificial  marks  in  a  horse's  teeth,  to  give 
the  appearance  of  greater  youth.  In  allusion  to  the  name 
of  the  man  who  was  the  first  to  prctice  the  trick. 

Breaking  Down — An  accident  that  often  happens  in- 
racing,  hunting,  and  other  violent  exercises. 

Bridle-Hand. — The  left  is  called  the  bridle-hand,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  right,  which  is  termed  the  whip-hand. 

Buck  Eyes. — A  term  used  by  dealers  and  jockeys,  for 
bad  eyes. 

Capped  Hock. — ^A  swelling  on  the  point  of  the  horse's 
hock,  generally  occasioned  by  blows  in  kicking. 

Condition. — This  term  is  used  to  imply  a  horse  being 
in  perfect  health,  or  as  Mr.  Taplin  says,  "fine  in  coat,  firm 
in  flesh,  liigh  in  spirits,  and  fresh  upon  his  legs." 

Cradle. — A  sort  of  wooden  neck -lace,  made  to  hinder 
horses  from  biting  their  legs  when  sore. 

Feather. — A  mark  in  the  horse's  forehead  or  neck, 
made  by  the  turn  of  the  hair.  It  is  considered  ornamen- 
tal, and,  by  some,  as  an  indication  of  good  qualities. 

Feel. — To  feel  a  horse  in  the  hand,  is  to  observe  that 
he  obeys  the  directions  given  by  the  bridle,  and  bears 
upon  the  bit.  To  feel  a  horse  upon  his  haunches,  is  to 
observe  that  he  pHes  them  and  does  not  lean  on  the 
shoulders. 

Gaunt-Bellied. — A  term  apphed  to  a  horse  when  he 
is  drawn  up  in  the  flank. 

In  Hand. — Keeping  a  complete  command  of  the  horse 
by  both  the  reins  and  the  pressure  of  the  legs. 

Hand. — The  division  in  the  standard  of  measuring 
horses  is  thus  named.     A  hand  is  four  inches. 

Pace. — ^The  paces  of  the  horse  are  the  walk,  the  amble, 
the  trot,  the  canter,  and  the  gallop. 

Pattering — Walking  with  a  mincing  gait. 

Romping. — Throwing  about  the  feet  in  the  paces. 

Scrambling. — Using  the  leg  from  the  knee  as  if  catch- 
ing at  something. 

Training  — By  the  word  training  is  meant  putting  a 
horse  in  that  state  in  which  all  the  functions  of  the  body 
are  carried  on  with  vigor. 


CHAPTER    III 


THE  AMEEICAN  ART  OF  TAMING,  AND  BREAKING  HORSES. 


GEIGINALLY    SYSTEMATIZED    AND    PKACTIOED 
BY   JOHN  S.  EAREY. 


ITS    HISTORY. 

The  first  person  of  whom  we  have  any  knowledge  as  practising 
horse-taming  was  a  Moor,  and  was  a  man  of  immense  muscular 
power,  and  upon  this,  in  a  contest  with  a  horse  he  depended  for 
success. 

The  second  horse-tamer  was  called  Jumper,  and  lived  in  York- 
shire, England.  Of  the  power  of  Jumper  over  the  horse,  Mr 
Castly  relates  the  following  incident : — "When  a  young  man  . 
purchased  a  horse  at  a  fair  that  was  offered  very  cheap,  because 
he  was  unmanageable.  No  body  could  ride  him.  He  objected  to 
having  anything  upon  his  back,  and  when  made  to  move  forward 
with  nothing  but  a  saddle  on  him,  he  would  throw  himself  down 
upon  his  side  with  great  violence  and  roll  over.  Jumper  took 
this  animal  away  and  in  ten  days  brought  him  back  again,  in  as 
good  condition,  but  perfectly  subdued  and  almost  as  obedient  as 
a  dog — he  would  lie  down  at  this  man's  bidding,  and  only  raise 
at  his  command,  and  would  carry  double  or  anything-,  i  took  to 
riding  him  myself,  and  may  say,  that  I  was  never  better  carried 
for  six  or  eight  months,  during  which  time  ho  never  showel  tho 
least  vice  whatever.  1  sold  him  to  a  Lincolnshire;  farmer,  who 
said  he  would  give  him  a  summer's  run  to  grass,  and  shew  him  i\ 
very  fine  horse  at  the  great  Horncastle  Horse  Fair. 

Next  upon  the  stage,  we  find  Sullivan,  the '•\\^hispeier." — 
This  man  is  described  in  Croker's  ^' Fairy  Legends  and  TraX 
ditions  of  Ireland,^''  as  follows: — 'He  was  an  awkward,  ignoran- 


46  The  Horse  Farrier. 

rustic  of  the  lowest  class  ;  Ids  occupation,  horse-breaking-.  The 
nickname  of  'Whisperer'  he  acquired  from  the  vulgar  notion  of 
his  being  able  to  comaiuuicate  to  the  animal  what  he  wished  by 
means  of  a  whisper,  and  the  singularity  of  his  method  seemed  in 
some  degree  to  justify  the  attribute.  In  his  own  neighborhood, 
the  notority  of  the  fact  made  it  seem  less  remarkable,  but  I  doubt 
if  any  instance  of  similar  subjugating  talent  is  to  be  fo'nd  on 
record.  _  As  far  as  the  sphere  oV  his  control  extended,  the  boast  of 
veni,  vidi,  vici,  was  more  justly  claimed  by  Sullivan  than  by 
Cjssar  himself."  How  Sullivan  acquired  the  art,  and  in  what 
it  consisted,  will  be  forever  unknown,  as  he  died  in  1810,  without 
divulging  it. 

Of  the  first  two  mentioned — ,  the  Moor  and  the  Jumper, — 
their  skill  doubtless  lay  in  manual  strength,  as  it  was  often  no- 
ticed that,  after  an  interview  with  the  animal  practiced  upon,  both 
horse  and  experimenter  were  entirely  exhausted.  Sullivan 
performed  with  wondrous  celerity, — his  movements  were  secret, 
but  without  apparent  coercion.  Every  description  of  horse  or 
mule,  whether  previously  broken  or  unhandled,  whatever  their 
peculiar  vices  or  habits  might  have  been,  submitted  without  show 
of  resistance  to  the  magical  influence  of  his  art.  and  in  the  short 
space  of  half  an  hour  became  gentle  and  tractable,  and  the  effect 
seemed  to  be  durable. 

"We  come  now  to  the  horse-tamer  of  the  present  day,  J.  S. 
Rarey,  who  has  performed  such  astonishing  feats,  and  created 
such  excitement  and  interest  as  was  never  before  known  in  this 
country  or  England.  In  the  opening  of  his  process,  he  says  : — 
'•The  one  principle  which  you  must  establish  firmly  in  your  mind, 
and  which  is  so  essential  in  horse-taming  that  it  is  almost  the 
corner  stone  of  the  theory,  is  the  law  of  kindness.  Next  to 
kindness  you  must  have  patience,  and  next  to  patience  indomitable 
perseverance.  In  a  natural  state  he  is  afraid  of  man,  and  never, 
until  j^ou  teach  him  that  you  do  not  intend  to  hurt  him,  will  that 
fear  cease — we  mean  that  wild,  natural  fear — for  you  must  have 
him  fear  you  as  well  as  love  you.  before  you  can  absorb  his  attentiou 
as  nuich  as  is  uecessary  to  break  him  to  your  liking." 

"The  horse,  according  to  the  best  accounts  we  can  gather,  has 
been  the  constant  servant  of  man  for  nearly  four  thousand  years, 
ever  rewarding  him  with  his  labor,  and  adding  to  his  comfort 
in  proportion  to  his  skill  and  manner  of  using  him  j  but  being,  to 
those  who  govern  him  by  brute  force,  and  know  nothing  of  the 
beauty  and  delight  to  be  gained  from  the  cultivation  of  his  finer 
nature,  a  fretful,  Ticious,  and  often  dangerous  servant ;  while  to 


Three  Fundamental  Principles.  47 

the  Arab,  whose  horse  is  the  pride  of  his  life,  and  who  governs 
him  by  the  law  of  kindness,  we  find  him  to  be  quite  a  different 
animal.  The  manner  in  which  he  is  treated  from  a  foal  gives  him 
an  affection  and  attachment  for  his  master  not  known  in  any 
other  country.  The  Arab  and  his  children,  the  mare  and  her  foal, 
inhabit  the  tent  together ;  and  although  the  colt  and  the  mare's 
neck  are  often  pillows  for  the  children  to  roll  upon,  no  accident 
ever  occurs,  the  mare  being  as  careful  of  the  children  as  of  the 
colt.  Such  is  the  mutual  attachment  between  the  horse  and  his 
master,  that  he  will  leave  his  companions  at  his  master's  call,  ever 
glad  to'obey  his  voice.  And  when  the  Arab  falls  from  his  horse,  and 
is  unable  to  rise  again,  he  will  stand  by  him  and  neigh  for  assistance, 
and  if  he  lies  down  to  sleep,  as  fatigue  sometimes  compels  him  to 
do  in  the  midst  of  the  desert,  his  faithful  steed  will  watch  over 
him,  and  neigh  to  arouse  him,  if  man  or  beast  approaches. 

THREE   FUNDAMENTAL   PRINCIPLES. 

First.— That  he  is  so  constituted  by  nature  that  he  will  not 
offer  resistance  to  any  demand  made  of  him,  which  he  fully  cona- 
prehends,  if  made  in  any  way  consistent  with  the  laws  of  his 
nature. 

Second.— That  he  has  no  consciousness  of  his  strength  beyond 
his  experience,  and  can  be  handled  according  to  our  will,  without 
force.  . 

Third. — That  we  can,  in  compliance  with  the  laws  of  his 
nature,  by  which  he  examines  all  things  new  to  him,  take  any 
object,  however  frightful,  around,  over  or  on  him,  that  does  not 
inflict  pain,  without  causing  him  to  fear. 

First,  Some  of  the  reasons  why  I  think  he  is  naturally  obedient 
and  will  not  offer  resistance  to  anything  fully  comprehended.— 
The  horse,  though  possessed  of  some  faculties  superior  to  man's, 
being  deficient  in  reasoning  powers,  has  no  knowledge  of  right  or 
wrong,  of  free  will  and  independent  government,  and  knows  not 
of  any  imposition  practiced  upon  him,  however  unreasonable 
these  impositions  may  be.  Consequently  he  cannot  come  to  any 
decision  what  he  should  or  should  not  do,  because  he  has  not  the 
reasoning  faculties  of  man  to  argue  the  justice  of  the  thing  de- 
manded of  him.  If  he  had,  taking  into  consideration  his  superior 
strength,  he  would  be  useless  to  man  as  a  servant.  Give  him 
mind  in  proportion  to  his  strength,  and  he  will  demand  of  us  the 
green  field  for  his  inheritance,  where  he  will  roam  at  leisure, 
denying  the  right  of  servitude  at  all.  God  has  wisely  formed 
his  nature  so  that  it  can  be  operated  upon  bv  the  knowledge  of 


4  3  Tui-:    RORSE    Fx\riiikr. 

man  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  will,  and  he  mi.irht  well  be 
termed  an  unconsciou-^,  submissive  servant.  This  truth  we  can 
see  verified  in  every  day's  experience  by  the  abuses  practiced 
upon  him.  Any  one  who  chooses  to  be  so  cruel,  can  mount  the 
noble  steed  and  run  him  till  he  drops  with  fatigue,  or,  as  is  often 
the  case  with  the  more  spirited,  falls  dead  beneath  the  rider.  If 
he  had  power  to  reason,  would  he  not  vault  and  pitch  his  rider, 
rather  than  to  suffer  him  run  him  to  death?  Or  would  he 
condescend  to  carry  at  all  the  vain  impostor,  who,  with  but  equal 
intellect,  was  trying  to  impose  on  his  equal  rights  and  equally 
independent  spirit  ?  But,  happily  for  us.  he  has  no  consciousness 
of  imposition,  no  thought  of  disobedience,  except  by  impulse 
caused  by  the  violation  of  the  law  of  his  nature  :  consequently, 
when  disobedient,  it  is  the  fault  of  man. 

Second — The  fact  of  the  horse  being  unconscious  of  the 
amount  of  his  strength,  can  be  proven  to  the  satisfaction  of  any 
one.  For  instance,  such  remarks  as  these  are  common,  and  per- 
haps familiar  to  your  recollection.  One  person  says  to  another, 
''If  that  wild  horse  there  was  conscious  of  the  amount  of  his 
strength,  his  owner  would  have  no  business  with  him  in  that 
vehicle — such  light  reins  and  harness,  too :  if  he  knew,  he  could 
snap  them  asunder  in  a  minute,  and  be  as  free  as  the  air  we 
breathe,  they  would  no  more  resist  his  powerful  weight  and 
strength  than  a  cotton  thread  would  bind  a  strong  man." 

Third — He  will  allow  any  object,  however  frightful  in  appear- 
ance, to  come  around,  over  or  on  him,  that  does  not  inflict  pain. 

We  know,  from  a  natural  course  of  reasoning,  that  there  has 
never  been  an  effect  without  a  cause  :  and  we  infer  from  this  that 
there  can  be  no  action,  either  in  animate  or  inanimate  matter, 
without  there  first  being  some  cause  to  produce  it.  And  from 
this  self-evident  fact,  we  know  there  is  some  cause  for  every  im- 
pulse or  movement,  of  either  mind  or  matter.  Then,  according 
to  this  theory,  there  must  be  some  cause  before  fear  can  exist ; 
from  the  effect  of  imagination,  and  not  from  the  infliction  of  real 
pain,  it  cannot  be  removed  by  complying  with  those  laws  of  nature 
by  which  the  horse  examines  an  object,  and  determines  upon  its 
innocence  or  harm. 

A  log  or  stump  by  the  road  side  may  be,  in  the  imagination  of 
the  horse,  some  great  beast  about  to  pounce  upon  him ;  but  after 
you  take  him  up  to  it,  and  let  him  stand  by  it  a  little  while,  and 
touch  it  with  his  nose,  and  go  through  his  process  of  examination, 
^le  will  not  care  anything  more  about  it.  And  the  same  principle 
and  process  will  have  the  same  effect  with  any  other  object,  how- 


Taming  Vicious  Horses. 


49 


ever  frightful  in  appearance,  in  which  there  is  no  harm.  Take  a 
boy  that  has  been  frightened  with  a  false  face,  or  any  other  object 
that  he  could  not  comprehend  at  once,  but  let  him  take  that  face 
or  object  in  his  hands,  and  examine  it,  and  he  will  not  care 
anything  more  about  it.  This  is  a  demonstration  of  the  same 
principle. 

With  this  introduction  to  the  principles  of  my  theory,  I  shall 
next  attempt  to  teach  you  how  to  put  it  into  practice,  and  what- 
ever instructions  may  follow,  you  can  rely  on  as  having  been 
proven  practically  by  my  own  experiments.  And  knowing  from 
experience  j.ust  what  obstacles  I  have  met  with  in  handling  bad 
horses,  I  shall  try  to  anticipate  them  for  you,  and  assist  you  in 
surmounting  them. 

TAMING  VICIOUS   HOESES. 

The  horse  should  be 
led  into  a  close  stable,  the 
operator  should  be  pre  - 
viously  provided  with  a 
stout  leather  halter  :  a 
looped  strap  to  slip  over 
the  horse's  knee;  a  strong 
ci  rsingle,  and  a  long  and 
short  strap — the  first 
to  fasten  round  the  fore- 
foot which  is  at  liberty 
and  the  second  to  per- 
mantely  secure  the  leg 
which  is  looped  up. 

The  application  of  the 
straps  will  be  better  un- 
derstood by  reference  to 
the  engraving. 


Fig.  1.    First  position. 


In  the  first  place,  if  the  horse  be  a  biter,  muzzle  him  ;  then  lift 
and  bend  his  left  fore  leg,  and  slip  a  loop  over  it.  Fig.  1.  Next 
put  on  a  cirsingle,  and  fasten  the  long  strap  around  the  right  foot, 
just  above  the  hoof,  and  pass  the  end  through  a  loop  attached  to 
the  cirsingle.  Fig.  2.  Then  fasten  on  vX  couple  of  knee-pads;  (these 
can  be  put  on  in  the  first  place  if  convienent :)  the  pads  will  pre- 
vent the  horse  injuring  or  abrading  his  knees  as  he  falls.  When 
this  portion  of  the  business  is  complete  you  are  ready  for  active 
operations.  Take  a  short  hold  of  the  long  strap  with  your  right 
hand  standing  on  the  left  side  of  the  horse,  and  grasp  the  bit  in 
the  left  hand. 


50 

The  object  now 
is  to  back  the 
horse  about  the 
stable  until  he 
is  tired  and  ev. 
ideutly  wishes 
to  lie  down, 
bear  your 
weight  firmly 
against  his 
shoulder  then 
compel  him.  to 
move  forward, 
and  when  he 
lifts  the  off  foot 
for  that  purpose,  ^g-  ^-     Teaching  the  horse  to  kneel 

draw  upon  the  strap  fastened  around  that  leg,  thus  elevating  it  to 
a  like  position  with  its  mate.  The  procedure  is  portrayed  in  our 
second  engraving  As  soon  as  this  strap  is  drawn  tightly,  let  the 
animal  down  easily  upon  his  knees,  as  in  fig.  3.  This  is'a  critical 
period  and  the  operator  must  possess  coolness  and  energy  to  pre- 
vent disaster  to  himself  or  the  anmial. 

When  the  horse 
attempts  to  rise,  pull 
his  head  around  to- 
wards the  shoulder 
and  his  efforts  will 
prove  futile.  Bear 
your  weight  against 
his  hips,  not  hard, 
but  with  a  steady, 
equal  pressure,  and 
by  voice  and  action 
endeavor  to  give  an 
idea  of  your  wishes, 
and    in    about   ten 

minutes  he   will  lie        rig.  3.  The  horse  in  a  kneeling  posiure  preparatory 
down.  to  lying  down. 

When  he  is  down,  keep  the  strap  tight  in  your  hand,  so  that  he 
cannot  straighten  his  legs,  and  pull  his  head  towards  his  shoulders 
to  prevent  his  rising.  As  soon  as  he  is  done  struggling,  caress  his 
face  and  neck,  remove  the  strap  and  straighten  his  legs.  Render 
yourself  as  familiar  as  possible. 


Horse  Taming. 


51 


Handle  all  parts  of 
his  body.  After  he 
has  lain  fifteen  or 
twenty  minutes,  let 
him  rise  and  imme- 
diately repeat  the 
operation.  After 
throwing  him  two  to 
five  tiroes,  he  will 
become  as  subraisive 
as  a  well  trained  dog 
and  you  weed  not  be 
afraid  to  indulge  in 
Fig.  4.   Lving  down  and  subdued.  any  liberties  with  him. 

If  a  thorough  course  of  instructon  is  given— anc/  he  must  be  ed- 
ucated: no  boy's  play  about  it— he  will  seek  the  floor  if  you  snnply 
raise  the  fore-leg  and  give  the  command,  "lie  down,  sir."  When 
this  is  learned,  tap  him  on  the  opposite  leg  with  a  stick,  as  you 
take  hold  of  his  foot,  and  in  a  short  time  he  will  lie  down  from  the 
motion  of  the  stick.  If  the  horse  is  very  powerful  or  fractious, 
the  straps  should  be  very  strong  and  broad,  and  well  secui*ed  in 
such  a  manner  as  not  to  chafe  the  legs.  An  incorrigible  horse 
should  have  two  lessons  a  day.  We  give  the  following  rules,  simp- 
ly remarking  that  their  strict  observance  is  imperative: 

First— The  horse  must  not  be  forced  down  by  violence,  but 
must  be  tired  out  til!  he  has  a  strong  desire  to  lie  down. 

Second— lie  must  be  kept  quiet  on  the  ground  until  the  expres- 
sion of  the  eye  shows  that  he  is  tranquilized,  which  invariably  takes 
place  f)v  patiently  waiting  an<l  gently  patting  the  horse. 

Third-  Care  must  be  taken  not  to  throw  the  horse  upon  his  neck 
when  bent,  as  it  may  easilv  be  broken 

Fourth— In  backincr  him.  no  violence  must  be  used,  or  he  may 
be  forced  on  his  haunches  and  his  back  broken. 

Fifth'  The  halter  and  off-rein  are  held  in  the  left  hand,  so  as  to 
keep  the  head  away  from  the  latter;  while,  if  the  horse  attempts  to 
plunge,  the  halter  is  drawn  tight,  when,  the  off  leg  being  raised,  the 
animal  is  brought  on  his  knees,  and  rendered  powerless. 

HOW   TO    SUCCEED    IX    GETTING    COLT'S    FROM   PASTURE. 
Go  to  the  pasture,  and  walk  around  the  whole  herd  quietly,  and 
at  such  a  distance  as  not  to  cause  ihem  to  scare  or  run.      i  hen 
approach  them  very  slowlv  and   if  they  seem  to  be  frightened, 


52  The  Horse  Farrier. 

hold  on  until  they  become  quiet,  so  as  not  to  make 
them  run  before  you  are  close  enough  to  drive  them 
in  the  direction  you  want  them  to  go.  And  when  you 
begin  to  drive,  do  not  flourish  your  arms,  or  halloo, 
but  gently  follow  them  off",  leaving  the  direction  free 
for  them  that  you  wish  them  to  take.  Thus  taking 
advantage  of  their  ignorance,  you  will  be  able  to  get 
them  in  the  pound  as  easily  as  the  hunter  drives  the 
quails  into  his  net.  For,  if  they  have  always  run  in 
the  pasture  uncared  for,  (as  many  horses  do  in  prairie 
coimtries,  and  on  large  plantations,)  there  is  no  reason 
why  they  should  not  be  as  "\\ild  as  the  sportsman's 
birds,  and  require  the  same  gentle  treatment,  if  you 
want  to  get  them  without  trouble ;  for  the  horse,  in 
his  natural  state,  is  as  wild  as  any  of  the  undomesti- 
cated  animals,  though  more  easily  tamed  than  most  of 
them. 

HOW   TO    STABLE    A   COLT   WITHOUT   TROUBLE. 

The  next  step  will  be,  to  get  the  horse  into  a  stable 
or  shed.  This  should  be  done  as  quietly  as  possible, 
so  as  not  to  excite  any  suspicion  in  the  horse  of  any 
danger  befaUing  him.  The  best  way  to  do  this  is  to 
lead  a  gentle  horse  into  the  stable  first,  and  hitch  him ; 
then  quietly  walk  around  the  colt,  and  let  him  go  in 
of  his  own  accord.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  get  men 
who  have  never  practiced  on  this  principle,  to  go  slow 
and  considerate  enough  about  it.  They  do  not  know 
that,  in  handhng  a  wild  horse,  above  all  other  things 
is  that  good  old  adage  true,  "  haste  makes  waste ;" 
that  is,  waste  of  time,  for  the  gain  of  trouble  and  per- 
plexity. 


Stabling  Colts.  53 

One  wrong  move  may  frighten  your  horse,  and 
make  him  think  it  necessary  to  escape  at  all  hazards 
for  the  safety  of  his  life,  and  thus  make  a  two  hours' 
work  of  a  ten  minutes'  job  ;  and  this  would  be  all  your 
fault,  and  entirely  unnecessary;  for  he  will  not  run 
unless  you  run  after  him,  and  that  would  not  be  good 
policy,  unless  you  knew  that  you  could  outrun  him ; 
for  you  will  have  to  let  him  stop  of  his  oWn  accord  af- 
ter all.  But  he  will  not  try  to  break  away,  unless  you 
attempt  to  force  him  mto  measures.  If  he  does  not 
see  the  way  at  once,  and  is  a  little  fretful  about  going 
in,  do  not  undertake  to  drive  him,  but  give  him  a  little 
less  room  outside,  by  gently  closing  in  around  him. 
Do  not  raise  your  arms,  but  let  them  hang  at  3^our 
side ;  for  you  might  as  well  raise  a  club.  If  he  at- 
tempts to  turn  back,  walk  before  him,  but  do  not  run ; 
and  if  he  gets  past  you,  encircle  him  again  in  the  same 
quiet  manner,  and  he  will  soon  find  that  you  are  not 
going  to  hurt  him ;  and  then  you  can  walk  so  close 
around  him  that  he  will  go  into  the  stable  for  more 
room,  and  to  get  farther  from  you.  As  soon  as  he  is 
in,  remove  the  quiet  horse  and  shut  the  door.  This 
will  be  his  first  notion  of  confinement — not  knowing 
how  he  got  in  such  a  place,  nor  how  he  got  out  of  it. 
That  he  may  take  it  as  quietly  as  possible,  see  that  the 
stable  is  entirely  free  from  dogs,  chickens,  or  anything 
that  would  annoy  him ;  then  give  him  a  few  ears  of 
corn,  and  let  hun  remain  alone  fifteen  or  twenty  min- 
utes, until  he  has  examined  his  apartment,  and  has  be- 
come reconciled  to  his  confinement. 


54  The  Horse  Farrier, 

the  kind  of  halter. 

Always  use  a  leather  halter,  and  be  sure  to  have  it 
made  so  that  it  will  not  draw  tight  around  his  nose, 
if  he  pulls  on  it.  It  should  be  of  the  right  size  to  fit 
his  head  easily  and  nicely,  so  that  the  nose-band  will 
not  be  too  tight  or  too  low.  Never  put  a  rope  halter 
on  an  unbroken  colt,  under  any  circumstances  what- 
ever. They  have  caused  more  horses  to  hurt  or  kill 
themselves,  than  would  pay  for 'twice  the  cost  of  all 
leather  halters  that  ever  have  been  needed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  haltering  colts.  It  is  almost  impossible  to 
break  a  colt  that  is  very  wild  with  a  rope  halter,  with- 
out having  him  pull,  rear,  and  throw  himself,  and  thus 
endanger  his  life ;  and  I  will  tell  you  why.  It  is  just 
as  natural  for  a  horse  to  try  to  get  his  head  out  of 
anything  that  hurts  it,  or  feels  unpleasant,  as  it  would 
be  for  you  to  try  to  get  your  hand  out  of  a  fire.  The 
cords  of  the  rope  are  hard  and  cutting ;  this  makes 
liitn  raise  his  head  and  draw  on  it,  a  sKp-noose,  (the 
way  the  halters  are  always  made,)  tightens,  and  pinches 
his  nose,  and  then  he  will  struggle  for  life,  until,  per- 
chance, he  throws  himself;  and  Avho  w^ould  have  his 
horse  throw  himself,  and  run  the  risk  of  breaking  his 
neck,  rather  than  pay  the  price  of  a  leather  halter  ? 
But  this  is  not  the  worst.  A  horse  that  has  once 
pulled  on  his  halter,  can  never  be  as  well  broken  as 
one  that  has  never  pulled  at  all. 

REMARKS    ON   THE    HORSE. 

But  before  we  attempt  to  do  anything  more  with  the 
colt,  I  will  give  you  some  of  the  characteristics  of  his 
nature,  that  you  may  better  understand  his  motions. 


Experiments  with  the  Hobe.  55 

Every  one  that  has  ever  paid  any  attention  to  the 
horse,  has  noticed  his  natui-al  inclination  to  smell  of 
everything  which  to  him  looks  new  and  frightful.  This 
is  their  strange  mode  of  examinmg  everything.  And, 
when  they  are  frightened  at  anythmg,  though  they 
look  at  it  sharply,  they  seem  to  have  no  confidence  in 
this  optical  examination  alone,  but  must  touch  it  with 
the  nose  before  they  are  entirely  satisfied ;  and  as  soon 
as  this  is  done,  all  is  right. 

EXPEKIMEXT    WITH   THE    KOBE, 

If  you  want  to  satisfy  yourself  of  this  characteristic 
of  the  horse,  and  learn  something  of  importance  con- 
cerning the  peculiarities  of  his  nature,  etc.,  turn  him 
into  the  barnyard,  or  a  large  stable  will  do.  And  then 
gather  up  something  that  you  knov>'  will  frighten  him ; 
a  red  blanket,  buffalo  robe,  or  something  of  that  kmd. 
Hold  it  up  so  that  he  can  see  it,  he  will  stick  up  his 
head  and  snort.  Then  throw  it  down  somewhere  in 
the  centre  of  the  yard  or  barn,  and  walk  off  to  oae  side. 
Watch  his  motions,  and  study  his  nature.  If  he  is 
frightened  at  the  object,  he  will  not  rest  until  he  has 
touched  it  with  his  nose.  You  will  see  him  begin  to 
walk  around  the  robe  and  snort,  all  the  time  gettmg  a 
little  closer,  as  if  drawn  up  by  some  magic  spell,  until 
be  finally  gets  within  reach  of  it.  He  will  then  very 
cautiously  stretch  out  his  neck  as  far  as  he  can  reach, 
nearly  touching  it  vdih  his  nose,  as  though  he  thought 
it  was  ready  to  fly  at  him.  But  after  he  has  repeated 
these  touches  a  few  times,  for  the  first,  (though  he  has 
been  looking  at  it  all  the  time,)  he  seems  to  have  an 
idea  of  what  it  is.  But  now  he  has  found,  by  the  sense 
i 


66  The  Horse  Fa^riee. 

of  feeling,  that  it  is  nothing  that  will  do  Mm  any  harm, 
and  he  is  ready  to  play  with  it. 

Yet  the  horse  is  never  so  well  satisfied  when  he  is 
about  anything  that  has  frightened  him,  as  when  he  is 
standing  with  his  nose  to  it.  And  in  nine  cases  out  of 
ten,  you  will  see  some  of  that  wild  look  about  him 
again,  as  he  turns  to  walk  ii'om  it.  And  you  will 
probably  see  ^him  looking  back  very  suspiciously  as  he 
walks  away,  as  though  he  thought  it  might  come  after 
him  yet.  And  in  all  probability,  he  wiR  have  to  go 
back  and  make  another  examination  before  he  is  satis- 
fied. But  he  will  familiarize  himself  with  it,  and  if  he 
should  run  ia  that  yard  a  few  days,  the  robe  that  fright- 
ened him  so  at  first,  will  be  no  more  to  him  than  a 
familiar  stump. 

SUPPOSITIONS    ON   THE   SENSE    OF   SMELLING. 

We  might  very  naturally  suppose,  from  the  fact  of 
the  horse's  applying  his  nose  to  everything  new  to 
him,  that  he  always  does  so  for  the  i^urpose  of  smelling 
these  objects.  But  I  beHeve  that  it  is  as  much  or  more 
for  the.purjDose  of  feeling,  and  that  he  makes  use  of 
his  nose,  or  muzzle,  (as  it  is  sometimes  called,)  as  we 
would  our  hands ;  because  it  is  the  only  organ  by  which 
he  can  touch  or  feel  anything  with  much  susceptibility. 

I  believe  he  invariably  makes  use  of  the  four  senses, 
seeing,  hearing,  smelling  and  feeling,  in  all  of  his  ex- 
aminations, of  which  the  sense  of  feeling  is,  perhaps, 
the  most  important.  And  we  know  from  experience, 
that  if  a  horse  sees  and  smells  a  robe  a  short  distance 
from  him,  he  is  very  much  frightened,,  (miless  he  is 
used  to  it,)  until  he  touches  or  feels  it  with  his  nose  ; 
which  is  a  positive  proof  that  feeling  is  the  controlling 
sense  in  this  case. 


Powel's  System.  67 

POWEL'S   SYSTEil    OF   APPEOACHIN^G  THE    COLT. 

But  before  we  go  further,  I  will  give  you  Willis  J. 
Powel's  system  of  approaching  a  wild  colt,  as  given  by 
him  in  a  work  published  in  Europe,  about  the  year 
1814,  on  the  "Art  of  taming  wild  horses."  He  says, 
"  A  horse  is  gentled  by  my  secret  in  from  two  to  six- 
teen hours.  The  time  I  have  most  commonly  em- 
ployed has  been  from  four  to  six  hours."  He  goes  on 
to  say :  "  Cause  your  horse  to  be  put  in  a  small  yard, 
stable,  or  room.  If  in  a  stable  or  room,  it  ought  to  be 
large,  in  order  to  give  him  some  exercise  with  the  hal- 
ter before  you  lead  him  out.  If  the  horse  belongs  to 
that  class  which  appears  only  to  fear  man,  you  must 
introduce  yourself  gently  into  the  stable,  room,  or 
yard,  where  the  horse  is ;  he  will  naturally  run  from 
you,  and  frequently  turn  his  head  from  you ;  but  you 
must  walk  about  extremely  slow  and  softly,  so  that  he 
can  see  you  whenever  he  turns  his  head  towards  you, 
which  he  never  fails  to  do  in  a  short  time,  say  in  a 
quarter  or  half  an  hour.  I  never  knew  one  to  be  much 
longer  without  turning  towards  me. 

"  At  the  very  moment  he  turns  his  head,  hold  out 
your  left  hand  towards  him,  and  stand  perfectly  stiU, 
keeping  your  eyes  upon  the  horse,  watching  his  mo- 
tions, if  he  makes  any.  If  the  horse  does  not  stir  for 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes,  advance  as  slowly  as  possible, 
and  without  making  the  least  noise,  always  holding  out 
your  left  hand,  without  any  other  ingredient  in  it  than 
what  nature  put  in  it."  He  says,  "  I  have  made  use  of 
certain  ingredients  before  people,  such  as  the  sweat 
under  my  arm,  etc.,  to  disguise  the  real  secret,  and 
many  beheved  that  the  docility,  to  which  the  horse  ar- 
rived in  so  short  a  time,  was  owing  to  these  ingredients; 


58  The  Horse  Farrier. 

but  you  see  from  this  explanation  that  they  were  of 
no  use  whatever.  The  impUcit  faith  placed  in  these 
ingredients,  though  innocent  of  themselves,  becomes 
"  faith  without  works."  And  thus  men  remahied  al- 
ways in  doubt  concerning  the  secret.  If  the  horse 
makes  the  least  motion  when  you  advance  towards 
him,  stop,  and  remain  perfectly  still  until  he  is  quiet. 
Remain  a  few  moments  in  this  condition,  and  then  ad- 
vance again  in  the  same  slow  and  almost  imperceptible 
manner.  Take  notice  ;  if  the  horse  stirs,  stop,  without 
changing  your  position.  It  is  very  uncommon  for  the 
horse  to  stir  more  than  once  after  you  begin  to  advance, 
yet  there  are  exceptions.  He  generally  kee2:)s  his  eyes 
steadfast  on  you,  until  you  get  near  enough  to  touch 
him  on  the  forehead.  When  you  are  thus  near  to  him, 
raise,  slowly,  and  by  degrees,  your  hand,  and  let  it 
come  in  contact  with  that  part  just  above  the  nostrils 
as  lightly  as  possible.  If  the  horse  flinches,  (as  many 
will,)  repeat  with  great  rapidity  these  light  strokes 
upon  the  forehead,  going  a  little  further  up  towards 
his  ears  by  degrees,  and  descending  with  the  same  ra- 
pidity until  he  Avill  let  you  handle  his  forehead  all  over. 
Now  let  the  strokes  be  repeated  with  more  force  over 
all  his  forehead,  until  you  can  handle  that  part  with 
equal  facility.  Then  touch  in  the  same  light  manner, 
making  your  hands  and  lingers  play  around  the  lower 
part  of  the  horse's  ears,  coming  down  now  and  then 
to  his  forehead,  which  may  be  looked  upon  as  the 
helm  that  governs  all  the  rest. 

"Having  succeeded  in  handling  his  ears,  advance 
towards  the  neck,  with  the  same  precautions,  and  in 
the  same  manner ;  observing  always  to  augment  the 


Handling  the  Colt.  59 

force  of  the  strokes  whenever  the  horse  will  permit  it. 
Perform  the  same  on  both  sides  of  the  neck,  mitil  he 
lets  you  take  it  in  your  arms  without  flinching. 

"Proceed  in  the  same  progressive  manner  to  the 
sides,  and  then  to  the  back  of  the  horse.  Every  time 
the  horse  shows  any  nervousness,  return  immediately 
to  the  forehead  as  the  true  standard,  patting  him  with 
your  hands,  and  from  thence  rapidly  to  where  you  had 
already  arrived,  always  gainmg  ground  a  considerable 
distance  farther  on,  every  time  this  happens.  The 
head,  ears,  neck,  and  body  being  thus  gentled,  proceed 
from  the  neck  to  the  root  of  the  tail. 

"  This  must  be  managed  ^vith  dexterity,  as  a  horse 
is  never  to  be  depended  on  that  is  skittish  about  the 
tail.  Let  your  hand  fall  lightly  and  rapidly  on  that 
part  next  to  the  body  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  you 
will  begin  to  give  it  a  slight  pull  upwards  every  quar- 
ter of  a  minute.  At  the  same  time  you  continue  this 
handling  of  him,  augment  the  force  of  the  strokes  as 
well  as  the  raismg  of  the  tail,  until  you  can  raise  it 
and  handle  it  with  the  greatest  ease,  which  commonly 
happens  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour  in  most  horses,  in  oth- 
ers almost  immediately,  and  in  some  much  longer.  It 
now  remains  to  handle  all  his  legs ;  fi-om  the  tail  come 
back  again  to  the  head,  handle  it  well,  as  likewise  the 
ears,  breast,  neck,  etc.,  speaking  now  and  then  to  the 
horse.  Begin  by  degrees  to  descend  to  the  legs,  al- 
ways ascending  and  descending,  gaining  ground  every 
time  you  descend,  until  you  get  to  his  feet. 

"  Talk  to  the  horse ;  let  him  hear  the  sound  of  your 
voice,  which  at  the  beginning  of  the  operation  is  not 
quite  so  necessary,  but  which  I  have  always  done  hi 


30  The  Hoese  Farkiee. 

making  him  lift  up  his  foot.  'Hold  up  your  foot' — at 
the  same  time  lift  his  foot  with  your  left  hand.  He 
soon  becomes  familiar  with  the  sounds,  and  will  hold 
up  his  foot  at  command.  Then  proceed  to  the  hind 
feet,  and  go  on  in  the  same  manner ;  and  in  a  short 
time  the  horse  will  let  you  lift  them  and  even  take 
them  in  your  arms. 

"  All  this  operation  is  no  magnetism,  no  galvanism ; 
it  is  merely  taking  away  the  fear  a  horse  generally  has 
of  a  man,  and  familiarizing  the  animal  with  his  master ; 
as  the  horse  doubtless  experiences  a  certain  pleasure 
from  this  handhng,  he  will  soon  become  gentle  under 
it,  and  show  a  very  marked  attachment  to  his  keeper." 

KEMARKS    ON   POWEL'S   TREATMEXT HOW    TO     GOVERN 

HORSES    OF   ANT   KIND. 

These  instructions  are  very  good,  but  not  quite  suf- 
ficient for  horses  of  all  kinds,  and  for  haltering  and 
leading  the  colt;  but  I  have  inserted  it  here  because 
it  gives  some  of  the  true  j^hilosophy  of  approachmg 
the  horse,  and  of  establishing  confidence  between  man 
and  horse.     He  speaks  only  of  the  kind  that  fear  man. 

To  those  who  understand  the  philosophy  of  horse- 
manship, these  are  the  easiest  trained ;  for  when  we 
have  a  horse  that  is  wild  and  lively,  we  can  train  him 
to  our  will  in  a  very  short  time ;  for  they  are  generally 
quick  to  learn,  and  always  ready  to  obey.  But  there 
is  another  kind  that  are  of  a  stubborn  or  vicious  dis- 
position, and  although  they  are  not  wild,  and  do  not 
require  tamuig,  in  the  sense  it  is  generally  understood, 
they  are  just  as  ignorant  as  a  wild  horse,  if  not  more 
60,  and  need  to  be  learned  just  as  much ;  and  in  order 
to  have  them  obey  quickly,  it  is  very  necessary  that 


Governing    the  Horse.  61 

they  should  be  made  to  fear  their  master ;  for,  in  order 
to  obtam  perfect  obedience  from  any  horse,  we  must 
first  have  him  fear  us,  for  our  motto  is,  Mar,  love,  and 
obey  ;  -and  we  must  have  the  fulfillment  of  the  first 
two,  before  we  can  expect  the  latter,  and  it  is  by  our 
philosophy  of  creating  fear,  love  and  confidence,  that 
we  govern  to  our  will  every  kmd  of  horse  whatever. 

Then,  in  order  to  take  horses  as  we  find  them,  of  all 
kinds,  and  to  ti-am  them  to  our  likmg,  we  wiU  alwasy 
take  with  us  when  we  go  into  a  stable  to  tram  a  colt, 
a  long  switch  whip,    (whalebone  buggy  whips  are  the 
best,  (with  a  good  silk  cracker,  so  as  to  cut  keen  and 
make  a  sharp  report,  which,  if  handled  with  dexterity, 
and   rightly   applied,  accompanied  with  a  sharp,  fierce 
word,  will  be  sufficient  to  enhven  the  spirits  of  any  horse. 
With  this  whip  in  your   right  hand,  with  the  lash 
opinting    backward,  "  enter    the  stable  alone.     It  is  a 
great   disadvantage   in    traming  a  horse,    to  have  any 
one  in  the  stable   with  you ;    you  should  be  entirely 
alone,  so  as  to  have  nothing  but  yourself  to  attract  his 
attention.     If  he  is  wild,  you  will  soon  see  hun  in  the 
opposite  side  of  the  stable  from  you;  and  now  is  the 
time  to  use  a  Httle  judgment.     I  would  not  want,  for 
myself,   more   than  half  or   three-quarters  of  an  hour 
ta  handle   any   kmd  of  a  colt,  and  have  him  runnuig 
about  in  the  stable  after  me  ;  though  I  would  advise  a 
new  beginner   to  take  more   time,   and  not  be  in  too 
much  of  a  hurry.     If  you  have  but    one  colt  to  gentle, 
and  are   not  particular   about  the  length  of  time  you 
spend,  and  have  not  had   any  experience  in  handling 
colts,  I  would  advise  you  to  take  Mr.  Powel's  method  at 
first,  till  you  gentle  him,  which,  he  says,  takes  from  two 
to  six  hours. 


62  The  Hokse  Fakrier. 

But  as  I  want  to  accomplish  the  same,  and  what  is 
much  more,  learn  the  horse  to  lead  in  less  than  one 
hour,  I  shall  give  }- ou  a  much  quicker  process  of  ac- 
complishing the  same  end.  Accordingly,  when  you 
have  entered  the  stable,  stand  still  and  let  your  horse 
look  at  you  a  minute  or  two ;  and  as  soon  as  he  is  set- 
tled m  one  place,  approach  him  slowly,  with  both 
arms  stationary,  your  right  hanging  by  your  side,  hold- 
ing the  whip  as  directed,  and  the  left  bent  at  the  elbow, 
with  your  right  hand  j^rojecting.  As  you  approach 
him,  go  not  too  much  towards  his  head  or  croup,  so  as 
not  to  make  him  move,  either  forward  or  backward, 
thus  keeping  your  horse  stationary  ;  if  he  does  move 
a  little,  forward  or  backward,  step  a  little  to  the  right 
or  left  very  cautiously ;  this  ^ill  keep  him  in  one  place. 
As  you  get  very  near  him,  draw  a  little  to  his  shoulder, 
and  stop  a  few  seconds.  If  you  are  in  his  reach  he 
-svill  turn  his  head  and  smell  of  your  hand,  not  that  he 
has  any  preference  for  your  hand,  but  because  that  is 
projecting,  and  is  the  nearest  portion  of  your  body  to 
the  horse.  This  all  colts  mil  do  ;  and  they  will  smell 
of  your  naked  hand  just  as  quick  as  of  anythmg  that 
you  can  put  in  it,  and  with  just  as  good  an  effect,  how- 
ever much  some  men  may  have  preached  the  doctrine 
of  taming  horses  by  giving  them  the  scent  of  articles 
from  the  hand.  I  have  already  proved  that  to  be  a 
mistake.  As  soon  as  he  touches  his  nose  to  your  hand, 
caress  him  as  before  directed,  always  using  a  very  light, 
soft  hand,  merely  touching  the  horse,  always  rubbing 
the  way  the  hair  lies,  so  that  your  hand  will  pass  along 
as  smoothly  as  possible.  As  you  stand  by  his  side  you 
may  find  it  more  convenient  to  rub  his  neck,  or  the 


Learning  the  Horse  to  Lead,  63 

side  of  his  head,  which  will  answer  the  same  purpose 
as  rubbing  his  forehead.  Favor  every  inclination  of 
the  horse  to  smell  or  touch  you  with  his  nose.  Always 
follow  each  touch  or  communication  of  this  kind  with 
the  most  tender  and  aifectionate  caresses,  accompanied 
with  a  kind  look,  and  pleasant  word  of  some  sort,  such 
as,  "  Ho  !  my  little  boy,  ho  ■!  my  little  boy,  pretty  boy, 
nice  lady !  "  or  something  of  that  kind,  constantly  re- 
peating the  same  words,  with  the  same  kind,  steady 
tone  of  voice ;  for  the  horse  soon  learns  to  read  the 
expression  of  the  face  and  voice,  and  will  know  as  well 
when  fear,  love  or  anger  prevails,  as  you  know  your 
own  feelings ;  two  of  which,  fear  and  anger ^  a  good 
horseman  should  never  feel. 

HOW   TO    PROCEED    IF    YOUR    HORSE   IS     OF    A   STUBBORN 
DISPOSITION. 

If  your  horse,  instead  of  being  wild,  seems  to  be  of 
a  stubborn  or  mulish  disposition  ;  if  he  lays  back  his 
ears  as  you  approach  him,  or  turns  his  heels  to  kick 
you,  he  has  not  that  regard  or  fear  of  man  that  he 
should  have,  to  enable  you  to  handle  him  quickly  and 
easily ;  and  it  might  be  well  to  give  him  a  few  sharp 
cuts  with  the  whip,  about  his  legs,  pretty  close  to  the 
body.  It  will  crack  keen  as  it  phes  around  his  legs, 
and  the  crack  of  the  whip  will  affect  him  as  much  as 
the  stroke ;  besides,  one  sharp  cut  about  his  legs  will 
affect  him  more  than  two  or  three  over  his  back,  the 
skin  on  the  inner  part  of  his  legs  or  about  his  flank  be- 
ing thinner,  more  tender  than  on  his  back.  But  do 
not  whip  him  much,  just  enough  to  scare  him,  it  is  not 
because  we  want  to  hurt  the  horse  that  we  whip  him, 


64  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

we  only  do  it  to  scare  that  bad  disposition  out  of  him. 
But  whatever  you  do,  do  quickly,  sharply,  and  with 
a  good  deal  of  fire,  but  always  without  anger.  If  you 
are  going  to  scare  him  at  all,  you  must  do  it  at  once. 
Never  go  into  a  pitch  battle  with  your  horse,  and 
whip  him  until  he  is  mad,  and  will  fight  you ;  you  had 
better  not  touch  him  at  all,  for  you  will  establish  in- 
stead of  fear  and  regard,  feelings  of  resentment,  ill- 
^vill  and  hatred.  It  will  do  him  no  good,  but  an  injury, 
to  strike  a  blow,  unless  you  can  scare  him ;  but  if  you 
succeed  in  scaring  him,  you  can  whip  him  without 
making  him.  mad ;  for  fear  and  anger  never  exist  to- 
gether in  the  horse,  and  as  soon  as  one  is  visible,  you 
will  find  that  the  other  has  disappeared.  As  soon  as 
you  have  frightened  him  so  that  he  will  stand  up 
straight,  and  pay  some  attention  to  you,  approach 
him  again,  and  caress  him  a  good  deal  more  than  you 
whipped  him,  then  you  will  excite  the  two  controlling 
passions  of  his  nature,  love  and  fear,  and  then  he  wiR 
love  and  fear  you  too,  and  as  soon  as  he  learns  what 
to  do,  will  obey  quickly. 

HOW   TO    HALTER    AND    LEAD    A    COLT. 

As  soon  as  you  have  gentled  the  colt  a  little,  take 
the  halter  in  your  left  hand  and  api^roach  him  as  be- 
fore, and  on  the  same  side  that  you  have  gentled  him. 
If  he  is  very  timid  about  your  approaching  closely  to 
him,  you  can  get  up  to  him  quicker  by  making  the 
whip  a  part  of  your  arm,  and  reaching  out  very  gent- 
ly with  the  butt  end  of  it ;  rubbing  him  lightly  on  the 
neck,  all  the  time  getting  a  little  closer,  shortening  the 
whip  by  taking  it  up  in  your  hand,  until  you  finally 
get  close  enough  to  put  your  hands  on  him.     If  he  is 


Stubborn  Disposition.  65 

inclined  to  hold  his  head  from  you,  put  the  end  of  the 
halter  strap  around  his  neck,  drop  your  whip,  and  draw 
very  gently ;  he  will  let  his  neck  give,  and  you  can  pull 
his  head  to  you.  Then  take  hold  of  that  part  of  the 
halter  which  buckles  over  the  top  of  his  head,  and  pass 
the  long  side,  or  that  part  which  goes  into  the  buckle, 
under  his  neck,  grasping  it  on  the  opjDosite  side  with 
your  right  hand,  letting  the  first  strap  loose — the  lat- 
ter will  be  sufficient  to  hold  his  head  to  you.  Lower 
the  halter  a  little,  just  enough  to  get  his  nose  into  that 
part  which  goes  around  it,  then  raise  it  somewhat,  and 
fasten  the  top  buckle,  and  you  will  have  it  all  right. 
The  first  time  you  halter  a  colt  you  should  stand  on 
the  left  side,  pretty  well  back  to  his  shoulder,  only 
taking  hold  of  that  part  of  the  halter  which  goes 
around  his  neck,  then  with  your  two  hands  about  his 
neck  you  can  hold  his  head  to  you,  and  raise  the  hal- 
ter on  it  without  making  him  dodge  by  putting  your 
hands  about  his  nose.  You  should  have  a  long  rope 
or  strap  ready,  and  as  soon  as  you  have  the  halter  on, 
attach  this  to  it,  so  that  you  can  let  him  walk  the 
length  of  the  stable  without  letting  go  of  the  strap, 
or  without  making  him  pull  on  the  halter,  for  if  you 
only  let  him  feel  the  weight  of  your  hand  on  the  hal- 
ter, and  give  him  rope  when  he  runs  from  you,  he  will 
never  rear,  pull,  or  throw  himself,  yet  you  will  be  hold- 
in  o-  him  all  the  time,  and  doLag  more  towards  gentling 
him  than  if  you  had  the  power  to  snub  him  right  up, 
and  hold  him  to  one  spot ;  because  he  does  not  know 
anything  about  his  strength,  and  if  you  don't  do  any- 
thing to  make  him  pull,  he  will  never  know  that  he 
can.     In  a  few  minutes  you  can  begin  to  control  him 


66  The  Horse  Farrier. 

with  the  halter,  then  shorten  the  distance  between 
yourself  and  the  horse,  by  taking  up  the  strap  in  your 
hand. 

As  soon  as  he  will  allow  you  to  hold  him  by  a  toler- 
ably short  strap,  and  step  up  to  him  without  flying 
back,  you  can  begin  to  give  him  some  idea  about  lead- 
ing. But  to  do  this,  do  not  go  before  and  attempt  to 
pull  him  after  you,  but  commence  by  pulling  him  very 
quietly  to  one  side.  He  has  nothing  to  brace  either 
side  of  his  neck,  and  will  soon  yield  to  a  steady,  grad- 
ual pull  of  the  halter ;  and  as  soon  as  you  have  pulled 
him  a  step  or  two  to  one  side,  step  up  to  him  and  ca- 
ress him,  and  then  pull  him  again,  repeating  this  oper- 
ation until  you  can  pull  him  around  in  every  direction, 
and  walk  about  the  stable  with  him,  which  you  can  do 
in  a  few  minutes,  for  he  will  soon  think  when  you  have 
made  him  step  to  the  right  or  left  a  few  times,  that  he 
is  compelled  to  follow  the  pull  of  the  halter,  not  know- 
ing that  he  has  the  power  to  resist  your  pulling ;  be- 
sides you  have  handled  him  so  gently  that  he  is  not 
afraid  of  you,  and  you  always  caress  him  when  he 
comes  up  to  you,  and  he  likes  that,  and  would  just  as 
leave  follow  you  as  not.  And  after  he  has  had  a  few 
lessons  of  that  kind,  if  you  turn  him  out  in  a  lot  he 
will  come  up  to  you  every  opportunity  he  gets.  You 
should  lead  him  about  in  the  stable  some  time  before 
you  take  him  out,  opening  the  door,  so  that  he  can 
see  out,  leading  him  up  to  it  and  back  again,  and  past 
it.  See  that  there  is  nothing  on  the  outside  to  make 
him  jump  when  you  take  him  out,  and  as  you  go  out 
with  him,  try  to  make  him  go  very  slowly,  catching  hold 
of  the  halter  close  to  the  jaw  with  your  left  hand, 


Leading  Colts.  67 

while  the  right  is  resting  on  the  top  of  liis  neck,  liold- 
ing  to  his  mane.  After  you  are  out  with  him  a  little 
while,  you  can  lead  him  about  as  you  please.  Don't 
let  any  second  person  come  up  to  you  Avhen  you  first 
take  him  out ;  a  stranger  taking  hold  of  the  halter 
would  frighten  hun,  and  make  him  run.  There  should 
not  even  be  any  one  standmg  near  him  to  attract  his 
attention,  or  scare  him.  If  you  are  alone,  and  manage 
him  right,  it  will  not  require  any  more  force  to  lead 
or  hold  him  than  it  would  to  manage  a  broke  horse. 

HOW   TO    LEAD    A    COLT   BY    THE    SIDE    OF    A    BEOKJE 
HORSE. 

If  you  should  want  to  lead  your  colt  by  the  side  of 
another  horse,  as  is  often  the  case,  I  would  advise  you 
to  take  your  horse  into  the  stable,  attach  a  second 
strap  to  the  colt's  halter,  and  lead  up  your  horse  along 
side  of  him.  Then  get  on  the  broke  horse  and  take 
one  strap  around  his  breast,  under  his  martingale,  (if 
he  has  one  on,)  holding  it  in  your  left  hand.  This  will 
prevent  the  colt  from  getting  back  too  far ;  besides, 
you  will  have  more  power  to  hold  hun,  with  the  strap 
pulling  against  the  horse's  breast.  The  other  strap 
take  up  in  your  right  hand,  to  prevent  him  from  run- 
ning ahead ;  then  turn  him  about  a  few  times  in  the 
stable,  and  if  the  door  is  wide  enough,  ride  out  with 
him  in  that  position ;  if  not,  take  the  broke  horse  out 
first,  and  stand  his  breast  up  against  the  door,  then 
lead  the  colt  to  the  same  spot,  and  take  the  strains  as 
before  directed,  one  on  each  side  of  his  neck,  then  let 
some  one  start  the  colt  out,  and  as  he  comes  out,  turn 
your  horse  to  the  left,  and  you  will  have  them  all 
right.    This  is  the  best  way  to  lead  a  colt ;  you  can 


68  The  Horse  Farrier. 

manage  any  kind  of  a  colt  in  this  way  "without  any 
trouble,  for,  if  he  tries  to  run  ahead,  or  pull  back,  the 
two  straps  will  bring  the  horses  facing  each  other,  so 
that  you  can  very  easily  follow  up  his  movements  with- 
out domg  much  holding,  and  as  soon  as  he  stops  run- 
ning backward,  you  are  right  with  him,  and  ready  to 
go  ahead.  And  if  he  gets  stubborn,  and  does  not 
want  to  go,  you  can  remove  all  his  stubbornness  by 
riding  your  horse  against  his  neck,  thus  compelling 
him  to  turn  to  the  right,  and  as  soon  as  you  have 
turned  him  about  a  few  times,  he  will  be  willing  to  go 
along.  The  next  thing,  after  you  are  through  leading 
him,  will  be  to  take  him  into  a  stable,  and  hitch  him  in 
such  a  way  as  not  to  have  him  pull  on  the  halter,  and 
as  they  are  often  very  troublesome  to  get  into  a  stable 
the  first  few  times,  I  will  give  you  some  instructions 
about  getting  him  in. 

HOW   TO    LEAD     A     COLT     INTO     THE    STABLE    AND    HITCH 
HIM    WITHOUT    HAVING   HIil   PULL    ON    THE    HALTER. 

You  should  lead  the  broke  horse  into  the  stable  first, 
and  get  the  colt,  if  you  can,  to  follow  in  after  him.  If 
he  refuses  to  go,  step  up  to  him,  taking  a  little  stick 
or  switch  in  your  right  hand ;  then  take  hold  of  the 
halter  close  to  his  head  with  your  left  hand,  at  the 
same  time  reaching  over  his  back  with  your  right  arm, 
so  that  you  can  tap  him  on  the  opposite  side  with  your 
switch ;  bring  him  up  facing  the  door,  tap  liim  lightly 
with  your  switch,  reaching  as  far  back  as  you  can. 
This  tapping,  by  being  pretty  well  back,  and  on  the 
opposite  side,  will  drive  him  ahead,  and  keep  him  close 
to  you,  then  by  giving  him  the  right  direction  with 
your  left  hand  you  can  walk  into  the  stable  with  him. 


Pulling  on  the  PIalter.  69 

I  have  walked  colts  into  the  stable  this  way,  m  less 
than  a  minute,  after  men  had  worked  at  them  half  an 
hour  trying  to  pull  them.  If  you  cannot  walk  with 
him  at  once  in  this  way,  turn  him  about  and  walk  him 
around  in  every  direction,  until  you  can  get  him  uj)  to 
the  door  without  pulling  at  him.  Then  let  him  stand 
a  few  mmutes,  keeping  his  head  in  the  right  direction 
with  the  halter,  and  he  will  walk  in,  in  less  than  ten 
minutes.  Never  attempt  to  pull  the  colt  into  the  stable ; 
that  would  make  him  think  at  once  that  it  was  a  dan- 
gerous -place,  and  if  he  was  not  afraid  of  it  before,  he 
would  be  then.  Besides  we  don't  want  him  to  know 
anything  about  pulhng  on  the  halter.  Colts  are  often 
hurt,  and  sometimes  killed,  by  trying  to  force  them 
into  the  stable ;  and  those  who  attempt  to  do  it  in  that 
way,  go  into  an  up-hill  business,  when  a  plain,  smooth 
road  is  before  them. 

If  you  want  to  hitch  your  colt,  put  him  m  a  tolera- 
bly wide  stall,  which  should  not  be  too  long,  and  should 
be  connected  by  a  bar  or  something  of  that  kind  to 
the  partition  behind  it ;  so  that  after  the  colt  is  in,  he 
cannot  get  far  enough  back  to  take  a  straight  back- 
ward pull  on  the  halter ;  then  by  hitching  him  in  the 
centre  of  the  stall,  it  would  be  impossible  for  him  to 
pull  on  the  halter,  the  partition  behind  preventing  him 
from  going  back,  and  the  halter  m  the  centre  checking 
him  every  time  he  turns  to  the  right  or  left.  In  a  stall 
of  this  kind  you  can  break  every  horse  to  stand  hitched 
by  a  hght  strap,  any  where,  without  his  knowing  any- 
thmg  about  pulling.  But  if  you  have  broke  your 
horse  to  lead,  and  have  learned  him  to  use  the  halter, 
(which  you  should  always  do  before  you  hitch  him  to 


70  The  Horse  Farrier. 

anything,)  you  can  hitch  him  in  any  kind  of  a  stall  and 
give  him  something  to  eat  to  keep  him  up  to  his  place 
for  a  few  minutes  at  first,  and  there  is  not  one  colt  out 
of  fifty  that  will  pull  on  his  halter. 

THE   KIND    OF    BIT,    AIS^D     HOW    TO     ACCUSTOM    A    HORSE 
TO   IT. 

You  should  use  a  large,  smooth,  snaffle  bit,  so  as 
not  to  hurt  his  mouth,  with  a  bar  on  each  side  to  pre- 
vent the  bit  from  pulhng  through  either  way.  This 
you  should  attach  to  the  head-stall  of  your  bridle  and 
put  it  on  your  colt  without  any  rems  to  it,  and  let  him 
run  loose  in  a  large  stable  or  shed  some  time,  until  he 
becomes  a  Httle  used  to  the  bit,  and  will  bear  it  with- 
out trying  to  get  it  out  of  his  mouth.  It  would  be 
well,  if  convenient,  to  repeat  this  several  times  before 
you  do  anything  more  with  the  colt ;  as  soon  as  he 
will  bear  the  bit,  attach  a  single  rem  to  it,  without  any 
martingale.  You  should  also  have  a  halter  on  your 
colt,  or  a  bridle  made  after  the  fashion  of  a  halter, 
with  a  strap  to  it,  so  that  you  can  hold  or  lead  him 
about  without  pulling  on  the  bit  much.  He  is  now 
ready  for  the  saddle. 

HOW   TO    SADDLE    A    COLT. 

Any  one  man,  who  has  this  theory,  can  put  a  saddle 
on  the  wildest  colt  that  ever  grew,  without  any  help, 
and  without  scaring  him.  The  first  thing  will  be  to 
tie  each  stirrup  strap  into  a  loose  knot  to  make  them 
short,  and  prevent  the  stirrups  from  flying  about  and 
hitting  him.  Then  double  up  the  skirts  and  take  the 
saddle  under  your  right  arm,  so  as  not  to  frighten  him 
with  it  as  you  approach.     When  you  get  to  him,  rub 


Stabi.tng  Colts.  71 

him  gently  a  few  times  with  your  hand,  and  then  raise 
the  saddle  very  slowly,  mitil  he  can  see  it,  and  smell,  and 
feel  it  with  his  nose.  Then  let  the  skuts  loose,  and  rub 
it  very  gently  agamst  the  neck  the  way  the  hair  lays,  let- 
ting him  hear  the  rattle  of  the  skirts  as  he  feels  them 
against  him,  each  time  getting  a  Httle  farther  backward, 
and  finally  slip  it  over  his  shoulders  on  his  back.  Shake 
it  a  little  with  your  hand,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes 
you  can  rattle  it  over  his  back  as  much  as  you  please,  and 
pull  it  off  and  throw  it  on  agam,  without  his  paying 
much  attention  to  it. 

As  soon  as  you  have  accustomed  him  to  the  saddle, 
fasten  the  girth.  Be  careful  how  you  do  this.  It  often 
frightens  the  colt  when  he  feels  the  girth  binding  him, 
and  making  the  saddle  fit  tight  on  his  back.  You 
should  bring  up  the  girth  very  gently,  and  not  draw  it 
too  tight  at  first,  just  enough  to  hold  the  saddle  on. 
Move  him  a  little,  and  then  girth  it  as  tight  as  you 
choose,  and  he  will  not  mind  it. 

You  should  see  that  the  pad  of  your  saddle  is  all 
right  before  you  put  it  on,  and  that  there  is  nothing  to 
make  it  hurt  him,  or  feel  unpleasant  to  his  back.  It 
should  not  have  any  loose  straps  on  the  back  part  of 
it,  to  flap  about  and  scare  him.  After  you  have  sad- 
dled him  in  this  way,  take  a  switch  in  your  right  hand, 
to  tap  him  up  with,  and  walk  about  in  the  stable  a  few 
times  with  your  right  arm  over  your  saddle,  taking 
hold  of  the  reins  on  each  side  of  his  neck,  with  your 
right  and  left  hands  ;  thus  marching  him  about  in  the 
stable  until  you  learn  him  the  use  of  the  bridle,  and 
can  turn  him  about  in  any  direction,  and  stop  him  by  a 
gentle  pull  of  the  rem.  Always  caress  him,  and  loose 
the  reins  a  Uttle  every  time  you  stop  him. 
5 


72  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

You  should  always  be  alone,  and  have  your  colt  in 
some  tight  stable  or  shed,  the  first  time  you  ride  him ; 
the  loft  should  be  high,  so  that  you  can  sit  on  his  back 
without  endangering  your  head.  You  can  learn  him 
more  in  two  hours'  time  m  a  stable  of  this  kind,  than 
you  could  in  two  weeks  in  the  common  way  of  break- 
ing colts,  out  in  an  open  place.  If  you  follow  my 
course  of  treatment,  you  need  not  run  any  risk,  or  have 
any  trouble  in  riding  the  worst  kind  of  a  horse.  You 
must  take  him  a  step  at  a  time,  until  you  get  up  a  mutual 
confidence  and  trust  between  yourself  and  horse.  First 
learn  to  be  lead  and  stand  hitched  ;  next,  acquaint  him 
with  the  saddle  and  the  use  of  the  bit,  and  then  all 
that  remams  is  to  get  on  without  scarmg  him,  and  you 
can  ride  him  as  well  as  any  horse. 

HOW   TO    MOUNT    THE    COLT. 

First,  gentle  him  well  on  both  sides,  about  the  sad- 
dle, and  all  over,  until  he  will  stand  still  w^ithout  hold- 
ing, and  is  not  afraid  to  see  you  anywhere  about  him. 

As  soon  as  you  have  him  thus  gentled,  get  a  small 
block,  about  one  foot  or  eighteen  inches  in  height,  and 
set  it  down  by  the  side  of  him,  about  where  you  want 
to  stand  to  mount  him  ;  step  up  on  this,  raising  your- 
self very  gently ;  horses  notice  every  change  of  position 
very  closely,  and,  if  you  were  to  step  suddenly  on  the 
block,  it  would  be  very  apt  to  scare  him ;  but,  by 
raising  yourself  gradually  on  it,  he  will  see  you  with- 
out being  frightened,  in  a  position  very  near  the  same 
as  when  you  are  on  his  back. 

As  soon  as  he  will  bear  this  without  alarm,  untie  the 
stirrup-strap  next  to  you,  and  put  your  left  foot  into 
the  stirrup,  and  stand  square  over  it,  holding  your  knee 


How  TO  Mount  a  Colt.  73 

against  the  horse,  and  your  toe  out,  so  as  not  to  touch 
him  under  the  shoulder  Tvith  the  toe  of  your  boot. 
Place  your  right  hand  on  the  front  of  the  saddle,  and 
on  the  opposite  side  of  you,  taking  hold  of  a  portion 
of  the  mane  and  reins,  as  they  hang  loosely  over  the 
neck,  with  your  left  hand  ;  then  gradually  bear  your 
weight  on  the  stirrup,  and  on  your  right  hand,  until 
the  horse  feels  your  whole  weight  on  the  saddle.  Re- 
peat this  several  times,  each  time  raising  yourself  a  Ut- 
tle  higher  from  the  block,  until  he  will  allow  you  to 
raise  your  leg  over  his  croup  and  place  yourself  in  the 

saddle. 

There  are  three  great  advantages  in  having  a  block 
to  mount  from.  First,  a  sudden  change  of  position  is 
verv  apt  to  frighten  a  young  horse  who  has  never  been 
handled.  He  will  allo'w  you  to  walk  up  to  him  and 
stand  by  his  side  without  scaring  at  you,  because  you 
have  gentled  him  to  that  position,  but  if  you  get  down 
on  your  hands  and  knees  and  crawl  towards  him,  he 
will  be  very  much  frightened;  and  upon  the  same 
principle,  he  would  frighten  at  your  new  position  if  you 
had  the  power  to  hold  yourself  over  his  back  without 
touching  hun.  Then,  the  first  great  advantage  of  the 
block  is°to  gradually  gentle  him  to  that  new  position 
m  which  he  will  see  you  when  you  ride  him. 

Secondly,  by  the  process  of  leaning  your  weight  in 
the  stirrups,  and  on  your  hand,  you  can  gradually  ac- 
custom him  to  your  weight,  so  as  not  to  frighten  hun 
by  having  him  feel  it  all  at  once.  And,  in  the  third 
place,  the  block  elevates  you  so  that  you  will  not  have 
to  make  a  spring  in  order  to  get  on  the  horse's  back, 
but  from  it  you  can  graduaUy  raise  yourself  into  the 


74  The  Horse  Farrier. 

saddle.  When  you  take  these  precautions,  there  is  no 
horse  so  wild  but  you  can  mount  him  without  making 
him  jump.  I  have  tried  it  on  the  worst  horses  that 
could  be  found,  and  have  never  failed  in  any  case. 
When  mouuthig,  your  horse  should  always  stand  with- 
out being  held.  A  horse  is  never  well  broke  when  he 
has  to  be  held  with  a  tight  rein  when  mounting ;  and 
a  colt  is  never  so  safe  to  mount,  as  when  you  see  that 
assurance  of  confidence  and  absence  of  fear  which 
causes  him  to  stand  without  holding. 

HOW   TO    KIDE   A   COLT. 

When  you  want  him  to  start,  do  not  touch  him  on 
the  side  with  your  heel,  or  do  anything  to  frighten 
him  and  make  him  jump ;  but  speak  to  him  kindly,  and 
if  he  does  not  start,  pull  him  a  little  to  the  left  until 
he  starts,  and  then  let  him  walk  off  slowly  with  the 
reins  loose.  Walk  him  around  in  the  stable  a  few 
times  until  he  gets  used  to  the  bit,  and  you  can  turn 
him  about  in  every  direction  and  stop  him  as  you  please. 
It  would  be  well  to  get  on  and  off  a  good  many  times, 
until  he  gets  perfectly  used  to  it,  before  you  take  him 
out  of  the  stable. 

After  you  have  trained  him  in  this  way,  which  should 
not  take  more  than  one  or  two  hours,  you  can  ride  him 
anywhere  you  choose  without  ever  having  him  jump  or 
make  an  effort  to  throw  you. 

When  you  first  take  him  out  of  the  stable,  be  very 
gentle  with  him,  as  he  will  feel  a  little  more  at  liberty 
to  jump  or  run,  and  be  a  Uttle  easier  frightened  than 
he  was  while  m  the  stable.  But  after  handling  him  so 
much  in  the  stable,  he  will  be  pretty  well  broke,  and 


How  TO  Ride  A  Colt.  75 

you  will  be  able  to  manage  him  without  trouble  or 
danger. 

When  you  first  mount  him,  take  a  little  the  shortest 
hold  of  the  left  rein,  so  that  if  anything  frightens  him, 
you  can  prevent  him  from  jumping  by  pulling  his  head 
around  to  you.  This  operation  of  pulling  a  horse's 
head  around  against  his  side,  will  prevent  any  horse 
from  jumping  ahead,  rearing  up,  or  running  away.  If 
he  is  stubborn  and  will  not  go,  you  can  make  him 
move  by  pulling  his  head  around  to  one  side,  when 
whipping  would  have  no  effect.  And  turning  around 
a  few  times  will  make  him  dizzy,  and  then  by  letting 
him  have  his  head  straight,  and  giving  him  a  little 
touch  with  the  whip,  he  will  go  along  ^dthout  any 
trouble. 

Never  use  martingales  on  a  colt  when  you  first  ride 
him ;  every  movement  of  the  hand  should  go  right  to 
the  bit,  in  the  direction  in  which  it  is  applied  to  the 
reins,  without  a  martingale  to  change  the  direction  of 
the  force  applied.  You  can  guide  the  colt  much  bet- 
ter without  them,  and  learn  him  the  use  of  the  bit  in 
much  less  time.  Besides,  martingales  w^ould  prevent 
you  from  pulling  his  head  around  if  he  should  try  to 
jump. 

After  the  colt  has  been  rode  until  he  is  gentle  and 
well  accustomed  to  the  bit,  you  may  find  it  an  advan- 
tage if  he  carries  his  head  too  high,  or  his  nose  too  far 
out,  to  put  martingales  on  him. 

You  should  be  careful  not  to  ride  your  colt  so  far  at 
first  as  to  heat,  worry  or  tire  him.  Get  off  as  soon  as 
you  see  he  is  a  little  fatigued  ;  gentle  him  and  let  him 
rest ;  this  will  make  him  khid  to  you,  and  prevent  him 
from  gettmg  stubborn  or  mad. 


7G  The  Horse  Farrier. 

THE   PROPER   WAT   TO    BIT   A   COLT. 

Farmers  often  j^ut  a  bitting  harness  on  a  colt  the 
first  thing  they  do  with  him,  buckling  np  the  bitting 
as  tight  as  they  can  draw  it,  to  make  him  carry  his 
head  high,  and  then  turn  him  out  in  a  lot  to  run  a  half 
day  at  a  time.  This  is  one  of  the  worst  punishments 
that  they  could  inflict  on  a  colt,  and  very  injurious  to 
a  young  horse  that  has  been  used  to  running  in  pasture 
with  his  head  down.  I  have  seen  colts  so  injured  in 
this  way  that  they  never  got  over  it. 

A  horse  should  be  well  accustomed  to  the  bit  before 
you  put  on  the  bitting  harness,  and  when  you  first  bit 
him  you  should  only  rein  his  head  up  that  point  where 
he  naturally  holds  it,  let  that  be  high  or  low ;  he  will 
soon  learn  that  he  cannot  lower  his  head,  and  that 
raising  it  a  little  Avill  loosen  the  bit  in  his  mouth.  This 
will  give  him  the  idea  of  raising  his  head  to  loosen  the 
bit,  and  then  you  can  draw  the  bitting  a  little  tighter 
every  time  you  put  it  on,  and  he  will  still  raise  his  head 
to  loosen  it;  by  this  means  you  will  gradually  get  his 
head  and  neck  in  the  position  you  want  him  to  carry 
it,  and  give  him  a  nice  graceful  carriage  without  hurt- 
ing him,  making  him  mad,  or  causing  his  mouth  to  get 
sore. 

If  you  put  the  bitting  on  very  tight  the  first  time, 
he  cannot  raise  his  head  enough  to  loosen  it,  but  will 
bear  on  it  all  the  time,  and  paw,  sweat,  and  throw 
himself.  Many  horses  have  been  killed  by  falling  back- 
ward with  the  bitting  on ;  their  heads  being  dra^vn  up, 
strike  the  ground  mth  the  whole  weight  of  the  bo^dy. 
Horses  that  have  their  heads  drawn  up  tightly  should 
not  have  the  bitting  on  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes  at  a  time. 


Vicious  Habits.  77 

how  to  drive  a  horse  that  is  very  wild  and 
has  any  vicious  habits. 

Take  up  one  fore  foot  and  bend  his  knee  till  his  hoof 
is  bottom  upwards,  and  nearly  touching  his  body,  then 
slip  a  loop  over  his  knee,  and  up  until  it  comes  above 
the  pastern  joint  to  keep  it  u]^,  being  careful  to  draw 
the  loop  together  between  the  hoof  and  pastern  joint 
■wdth  a  second  strap  of  some  kind,  to  prevent  the  loop 
from  slipping  down  and  coming  off.  This  wiU  leave  the 
horse  standing  on  three  legs ;  you  can  now  handle  him 
as  you  wish,  for  it  is  utterly  impossible  for  him  to  kick 
in  this  position.  There  is  something  in  this  operation 
of  taking  up  one  foot  that  conquers  a  horse  quicker 
and  better  than  anytliing  else  you  can  do  to  him.  There 
is  no  process  in  the  world  equal,  to  break  a  kicking 
horse,  for  several  reasons.  First,  there  is  a  principle 
of  this  kind  in  the  nature  of  the  horse,  that  by  con- 
quering one  member  you  conquer,  to  a  great  extent, 
the  whole  horse. 

You  have,  perhaps,  seen  men  operate  upon  this  prin- 
ciple by  sewing  a  horse's  ears  together  to  prevent  him 
from  kicking.  I  once  saw  a  j^lan  given  in  a  newsj^aper 
to  make  a  bad  horse  stand  to  be  shod,  which  was  to 
fasten  down  one  ear.  There  was  no  reason  given  why 
you  should  do  so  ;  but  I  tried  it  several  times,  and 
thought  it  had  a  good  effect — though  I  would  not 
recommend  its  use,  especially  stitching  his  ears  togeth- 
er. The  only  benefit  arising  from  this  process  is,  that 
by  disarranging  his  ears  we  draw  his  attention  to  them, 
and  he  is  not  so  apt  to  resist  the  shoeing.  By  tying 
up  one  foot  we  operate  on  the  same  principle,  to  a 
much  better  effect.     When  you  first  fasten  up  a  horse's 


78  The  Hokse  Fakriek. 

T 

foot,  he  will  sometimes  get  very  mad,  and  strike  with 
his  knee,  and  try  every  possible  way  to  get  it  down  ; 
but  he  cannot  do  that,  and  will  soon  give  up. 

This  will  conquer  him  better  than  anything  you  coulil 
do,  and  mthout  any  possible  danger  of  hurting  himself, 
or  you  either,  for  you  can  tie  up  his  foot  and  sit  down 
and  look  at  him  until  he  gets  up.  When  you  find  that 
he  is  conquered,  go  to  him,  let  down  his  foot,  rub  his 
leg  with  your  hand,  and  let  him  rest  a  little,  then  put 
it  up  again.  Rej^eat  this  a  few  times,  always  putting 
up  the  same  foot,  and  he  T\ill  soon  learn  to  travel  on 
three  legs  so  that  you  can  drive  him  some  distance. 
As  soon  as  he  gets  a  httle  used  to  this  way  of  travel- 
ling, put  on  yom-  harness,  and  hitch  him  to  a  sulky. 
If  he  is  the  worst  kicking  horse  that  ever  raised  a  foot 
you  need  not  be  fearful  of  his  doing  any  damage  while 
he  has  one  foot  up,  for  he  cannot  kick,  neither  can  he 
run  fast  enough  to  do  any  harm.  And  if  he  is  the 
wildest  horse  that  ever  had  harness  on,  and  has  run 
away  every  time  he  has  been  hitched,  you  can  now 
hitch  him  in  a  sulky  and  drive  him  as  you  please.  And 
if  he  wants  to  run,  you  can  let  him  have  the  lines,  and 
whip  too,  with  perfect  safety,  for  he  can  go  but  a  slow 
gait  on  three  legs,  and  will  soon  be  tired  and  wiUing  to 
stop ;  only  hold  him  enough  to  guide  him  in  the  right 
direction,  and  he  will  soon  be  tired,  and  wiUing  to  stop 
at  the  word.  Thus  you  will  effectually  cure  him  at 
once  of  any  further  notion  of  rimning  off.  Kicking 
horses  have  always  been  the  dread  of  everybody ;  you 
always  hear  men  say,  when  they  speak  about  a  bad 
horse,  "  I  don't  care  what  he  does,  so  he  don't  kick." 
This  new  method  is  an  effective  cure  for  this  worst  of 


Kicking  Horses.  79 

all  habits.  There  are  plenty  of  ways  by  which  you 
can  hitch  a  kicking  horse,  and  force  him  to  go,  though 
he  kicks  all  the  time ;  but  this  don^t  have  any  good  " 
effect  towards  breaking  him,  for  we  know  that  horses 
kick  because  they  are  afraid  of  what  is  behind  them, 
and  when  they  kick  agamst  it  and  it  hurts  them,  they 
A\ill  only  kick  the  harder,  and  this  will  hurt  them  still 
more,  and  make  them  remember  the  scrape  much  longer, 
and  make  it  still  more  difficult  to  persuade  them  to 
have  any  confidence  m  anythmg  dragging  behmd  them 
ever  after. 

By  this  new  method  you  can  hitch  them  to  a  rattling 
sulky,  plow,  wagon,  or  anything  else  in  its  worst  shape. 
They  may  be  frightened  at  first,  but  cannot  Idck,  or 
do  anythmg  to  hurt  themselves,  and  will  soon  find  that 
you  do  not  intend  to  hurt  them,  and  then  they  will  not 
care  anything  more  about  it.  You  can  then  let  down 
the  leg,  and  drive  along  gently  without  any  further 
trouble.  By  this  new  process  a  bad  kicking  horse  can 
be  learned  to  go  gentle  in  harness  in  a  few  hours  time. 

ox   BALKING. 

Horses  know  nothmg  about  balking,  only  as  they  are 
brought  into  it  by  improper  management ;  and  when  a 
horse  balks  in  harness,  it  is  generally  from  some  mis- 
management, excitement,  confusion,  or  from  not  know- 
ing how  to  pull,  but  seldom  from  any  unwillingness  to 
perform  aU  that  he  understands.  High  spirited,  free- 
going  horses,  are  the  most  subject  to  balking,  and  only 
so  because  drivers  do  not  properly  understand  how  to 
manage  this  kind.  A  free  horse  in  a  team  may  be  so 
anxious  to  go,  that  when  he  hears  the  word  he  will 


80  The  Horse  Farrier. 

start  with  a  jump,  which  will  not  move  the  load,  but 
give  him  such  a  severe  jerk  on  the  shoulders,  that  he 
will  fly  back  and  stop  the  other  horse  ;  the  teamster 
will  continue  his  driving  ^^ithout  any  cessation,  and  by 
the  time  he  has  the  slow  horse  started  again,  he  will 
find  the  free  horse  has  made  another  jump,  and  again 
flew  back ;  and  now  he  has  them  both  badly  balked, 
and  so  confused  that  leither  of  them  knows  what  is  the 
matter,  or  how  to  start  the  load.     Next  will  come  the 
slashing  and  crashing  of  the  whip,  and  hallooing  of  the 
driver  till  something  is  broken,  or  he  is  through  with 
his  course  of  treatment.      But   what  a   mistake   the 
driver  commits  by  whipping  his  horse  for  this  act ! 
Reason  and  common  sense  should  teach  him  that  the 
horse  was  willing  and  anxious  to  go,  but  did  not  now 
now  to  start  the  load.     And  should  he  whip  him  for 
that  ?     If  so,  he  should  whip  him  again  for  not  know- 
ing how  to  talk.     A  man  that  wants  to  act  with  any 
rationality  or  reason,  should  not  fly  into  a  passion,  but 
should  always  think  before  he  strikes.     It  takes  a  steady 
pressure  against  the  collar  to  move  a  load,  and  you  can- 
not expect  him  to  act  with  a  steady,  determined  pur- 
pose while  you  are  whipping  him.     There  is  hardly  one 
balkmg  horse  in  five  hundred  that  will  pull  true  from 
whipping  ;  it  is  only  adding  fuel  to  fire,  and  will  make 
them  more  liable  to  balk  another  tune.     You  always 
see  horses  that  have  been  balked  a  few  times,  turn  their 
heads  and  look  back,  as  soon  as  they  are  a  little  frus- 
trated.    This  is  because  they  have  been  whipped,  and 
are  afraid  of  what  is  behind  them.     This  is  an  invari- 
able rule  with  balked  liorses,  just  as  much  as  it  is  for 


Balkino.  81 

them  to  look  around  at  their  sides  when  they  have  the 
bots.  In  either  case,  they  are  deserving  of  the  same 
sympathy,  and  the  same  kind,  rational  treatment. 

When  your  horse  balks,  or  is  a  little  excited,  if  he 
wants  to  start  quickly,  or  looks  around,  and  don't  want 
to  go,  there  is  something  wrong,  and  he  needs  kind 
treatment  immediately.  Caress  him  kindly,  and  if  he 
don't  understand  at  once  what  you  want  him  to  do, 
he  will  not  be  so  much  excited  as  to  jump  and  break 
things,  and  do  every  thing  wrong  through  fear. — 
As  long  as  you  are  calm,  and  can  keep  down  the  ex- 
citement of  the  horse,  there  are  ten  chances  to  have 
him  understand  you,  where  there  would  not  be  one  un- 
der hai"sh  treatment,  and  then  the  little  flare-^p  would 
not  carry  with  it  any  unfavorable  recollections,  and  he 
would  soon  forget  all  about  it,  and  learn  to  pull  true. 
Almost  every  wrong  act  the  horse  commits,  is  from 
mismanagement,  fear  or  excitment :  one  harsh  word 
will  so  excite  a  nervous  horse  as  to  increase  -his  pulse 
ten  beats  in  a  minute.* 


♦Remarks. — In  the  first  place,  never  teach  your  horse  to  balk,  by  giving  him  a 
greater  load  than  he  can  carry,  or  requiring  him  to  go  up  too  steep  a  hill  without 
permitting  him  to  stop.  If  you  tell  him  to  stop,  iu  going  up  a  steep  hill,  it  is 
better  than  to  allow  him  to  do  it  of  his  own  accord.  If  he  finds  he  can  stop  of 
his  own  will,  and  start  when  he  pleases,  he  will  soon  learn  to  do  it  when  ho 
ought  not  to.  If  at  any  time  he  stops  without  your  stopping  him,  give  him  a 
sharp  cut,  and  make  him  go  on,  even  if  you  think  he  ought  to  stop  at  that  very 
place ;  but  soon  yourself  give  him  an  opportunity  to  stop.  This  will  teach  him 
that  he  is  to  stop  only  at  your  will,  and  that  you  are  not  unreasonable  in  your 
demands.  I  believe  that  all  balky  horses  are  in  the  first  instance  taugbt  to 
balk  by  their  careless  and  inconsiderate  owners,  who  overload  them,  and  allow 
them  to  stop  or  go  according  to  their  own  will.  Once  a  horse  finds  he  can  stop 
at  will  without  reproof,  he  will  stop,  perhaps,  on  a  smooth  road,  or  in  the  mid- 
dle of  a  village,  or  on  the  street  of  a  city,  whore  you  will  be  mortified  as  well  as 
discommoded. 


82  The  Hoese  Fakkier. 

When  we  remember  that  we  are  dealhig  with  dumb 
brutes,  and  reflect  how  difficult  it  must  be  for  them  to 
understand  our  motions,  signs  and  language,  we  should 
never  get  out  of  patience  with  them,  because  they 
don't  understand  us,  or  wonder  at  their  doino:  thins^s 
wrong.  With  all  our  intellect,  if  we  were  placed  in 
the  horse's  situation,  it  would  be  difficult  for  us  to  un- 
derstand the  driving  of  some  foreigner,  of  foreign  ways 
and  foreign  language.  We  should  always  recollect 
that  our  ways  and  language  are  unknown  to  the  horse, 
and  should  try  to  practice  what  we  could  understand, 
were  we  the  horse,  endeavoring  by  some  smij^le  means 
to  work  on  his  understanding  rather  than  on  the  dif- 
ferent parts  of  his  body.  All  balked  horses  can  be 
started  true  and  steady  in  a  few  minutes'  time  :  they 
are  willing  to  pull  as  soon  as  they  know  how,  and  I 
never  yet  found  a  balked  horse  that  I  could  not  teach 
to  start  his  load  in  fifteen,  and  often  less  than  three 
minutes'  time. 

Almost  any  team,  when  first  balked,  will  start  kind- 


Before  resorting  to  severe  means  the  cause  should  be  ascertained.  The  horse 
may  be  overtaxed,  his  withers  may  be  wrung,  or  he  may  be  insupportably  galled 
or  pained  by  the  harness.  These  things  should  be  examined  into,  and,  if  possible, 
rectified;  for,  under  such  circumstances,  cruelty  may  produce  obstinacy  and  vice, 
but  not  willing  obedience.  A  horse  whose  shoulders  are  raw,  or  have  frequently 
been  so,  will  not  start  with  a  cold  collar.  When  the  collar  has  acquired  the 
warmth  of  the  parts  on  which  it  presses,  the  animal  will  go  without  reluctance. 
Some  determined  balkers  have  been  reformed  by  constantly  wearing  a  false  col- 
lar, or  strip  of  cloth  round  the  shoulders,  so  that  the  coldness  of  the  usual  collar 
should  never  be  felt ;  and  others  have  been  cured  of  balking  by  keeping  the  col- 
lar on  night  and  day,  for  the  animal  is  not  able  to  lie  down  completely  at  full 
length,  which  the  tired  horse  is  always  glad  to  do.  When  a  horse  balks,  not  at 
starting,  but  while  doing  his  work,  it  has  sometimes  been  useful  to  line  the  collar 
with  cloth  instead  of  leather;  the  perspiration  is  readily  absorbed,  the  substance 
which  presses  on  the  shoulder  is  softer,  and  it  may  be  far  more  accurately  eased 
off  at  a  tender  place. 


Balky  Horses.  83 

ly,  if  you  let  them  stand  five  or  ten  minutes,  as  though 
there  was  nothing  wrong,  and  then  speak  to  them  with 
a  steady  voice,  and  turn  them  a  Uttle  to  the  right  or 
left,  so  as  to  get  them  both  in  motion  before  they  feel 
the  pinch  of  the  load.  But  if  you  want  to  start  a  team 
that  you  are  not  driving  yourself,  that  has  been  balked, 
fooled,  and  whipped  for  some  time,  go  to  them  and 
hang  the  lines  on  their  hames,  or  fasten  them  to  the 
wagon,  so  that  they  will  be  perfectly  loose  :  make  the 
driver  and  spectators,  (if  there  are  any,)  stand  off 
some  distance  to  one  side,  so  as  not  to  attract  the  at- 
tention of  the  horses  ;  loosen  their  check-reins,  so  that 
they  can  get  their  heads  down,  if  they  choose ;  let 
them  stand  a  few  minutes  in  this  condition,  until  you 
see  that  they  are  a  little  composed.  While  they  are 
standing,  you  should  be  about  their  heads,  gentling 
them :  it  will  make  them  a  little  more  kuid.  When 
you  are  ready  to  start,  stand  before  them,  and  as  you 
seldom  have  but  one  balky  horse  in  a  team,  get  as 
near  in  front  of  him  as  you  can,  and  if  he  is  too  fast  for 

But  what  shall  we  do  with  a  horse  who  ha?  thoroughly  learned  to  balk,  and 
whom  whipping  only  hardens?  Desperate  remedies  should  sometimes  he  used 
for  desperate  caoes,  and  you  may  in  such  cases  eitiicr  kill  your  liorsc  as  not  be- 
ing worthy  the  oats  you  give  him,  or  you  may  fasten  iiim  to  a  strong  carriage, 
put  on  a  strong  harness  and  reins,  and  if  he  balks,  set  Are  to  a  bunch  of  shavings 
or  a  newspaper  at  his  heels,  or  a  bunch  of  Are  crackers  ;  or  exciting  his  spirits  by 
the  application  of  spirits  of  turpentine  under  his  tail ;  he  is  bound  to  go  in  such 
case— perhaps  too  fast  for  you— but  of  this  you  must  run  your  risk.  It  is  a  des- 
perate remedy,  but  when  kindness  and  good  treatment  do  not  succeed,  such  a 
remedy  will  succeed  better,  and  is  more  humane  than  beating,  unmerciful  whip- 
ping, «fec.,  which  seldom  succeed  at  all. 

In  India  when  a  horse  can  and  will  not  draw,  instead  of  whipping,  spurring 
or  burning  him,  they  quietly  get  a  rope  and  attaching  it  to  one  of  the  fore  feet, 
one  or  two  men  take  hold  of  it,  and  advancing  a  few  paces  ahead  of  the  horse  , 
pull  their  best.  No  matter  how  stubborn  the  animal  may  be,  a  few  doses  of  such 
treatment  eflfeots  a  perfect  cure. 


84  The  Horse  Farrier. 

the  other  horse  let  liis  nose  come  against  your  breast : 
this  will  keep  him  steady,  for  he  will  go  slow  rather 
than  run  on  you ;  turn  them  gently  to  the  right,  with- 
out letting  them  pull  on  the  traces,  as  far  as  the  tongue 
will  let  them  go ;  stop  them  with  a  kind  word,  gentle 
them  a  little,  and  then  turn  them  back  to  the  left,  by 
the  same  process.  You  will  have  them  under  your 
control  by  this  time,  and  as  you  turn  them  again  to 
the  right,  steady  them  in  the  collar,  and  you  can  take 
them  where  you  please. 

There  is  a  quicker  process  that  will  start  a  balky 
horse,  but  not  so  sure.  Stand  him  a  little  ahead,  so 
that  his  shoulders  wiU  be  against  the  collar,  and  then 
take  up  one  of  his  fore  feet  in  your  hand,  and  let  the 
driver  start  them,  and  wlien  the  weight  comes  against 
his  shoulders,  he  will  try  to  step  :  then  let  him  have  his 
foot,  and  he  will  go  right  along.  If  you  want  to  break 
a  horse  from  balking,  that  has  long  been  in  that  habit, 
you  ought  to  set  apart  a  half  a  day  for  that  purpose. — 
Put  him  by  the  side  of  some  steady  horse  ;  have  check- 
lines  on  them  ;  tie  up  all  the  traces  and  straps,  so  that 
there  wiU  be  nothing  to  excite  them  ;  do  not  rein  them 
up,  but  let  them  have  their  heads  loose.  Walk  J^hem 
about  together  for  some  thne  as  slowly  and  lazily  as 
possible ;  stop  often  and  go  to  your  balky  horse  and 
gentle  him.  Do  not  take  any  whip  about  him,  but 
keep  him  just  as  quiet  as  you  can.  He  will  soon  learn 
to  start  off  at  the  word,  and  stop  whenever  you  tell 
him. 

As  soon  as  he  performs  right,  hitch  him  in  an  empty 
wagon  ;  have  it  stand  in  a  favorable  position  for  start- 
ing.    It  would  be  well  to  shorten  the  stay-chain   be- 


Breaking.  85 

hind  the  steady  horse,  so  that,  if  it  is  necessary,  he 
can  take  the  weight  of  the  wagon  the  first  time  yon 
start  them.  Do  not  drive  but  a  few  rods  at  first : 
watch  your  balky  horse  closely,  and  if  you  see  that  he 
is  getting  excited,  stop  him  before  he  stops  with  his 
own  accord  ;  caress  him  a  little,  and  start  again.  As 
soon  as  they  go  well,  drive  them  over  a  small  hill  a 
few  times,  and  then  over  a  large  one,  occasionally  ad- 
ding a  little  load.  This  process  will  make  any  horse 
true  to  pull. 

TO    BREAK    A    HORSE   TO    HARNESS. 

Take  him  in  a  tight  stable,  as  you  did  to  ride  him ; 
take  the  harness  and  go  through  the  same  process  that 
you  did  with  the  saddle,  until  you  get  him  familiar 
with  them,  so  that  you  can  put  them  on  and  rattle 
them  about  without  his  carmg  for  them.  As  soon  as 
he  will  bear  this,  put  on  the  lines,  caress  him  as  you 
draw  them  over  him,  and  drive  him  about  in  the  stable 
till  he  will  bear  them  over  his  hips.  The  Imes  are  a 
great  aggravation  to  some  colts,  and  often  frighten 
them  as  much  as  if  you  were  to  raise  a  wliip  over  them. 
As  soon  as  he  is  famihar  with  the  harness  and  lines, 
take  him  out  and  put  him  by  the  side  of  a  gentle  horse, 
and  go  through  the  same  j^rocess  that  you  did  with  the 
balking  horse.  Always  use  a  bridle  without  blmds, 
wlien  you  are  breaking  a  horse  to  harness. 

HOW   TO    HITCH    A   HORSE    IN   A    SULKY. 

Lead  him  to  and  around  it ;  let  him  look  at  it,  touch 
it  with  his  nose,  and  stand  by  it  till  he  does  not  care 
for  it ;  then  pull  the  shafts  a  little  to  the  left,  and  stand 
your  horse  in  front  of  the  off  wheel.     Let  some  ont 


86  The  Horse  Farrier. 

stand  on  the  right  side  of  the  horse,  and  hold  him  by 
the  bit,  while  you  stand  on  the  left  side,  facing  the 
sulky.  This  will  keep  him  straight.  Run  your  left 
hand  back,  and  let  it  rest  on  his  hip,  and  lay  hold  of 
the  shafts  with  your  right,  bringing  them  up  very 
gently  to  the  left  hand,  which  still  remams  stationary. 
Do  not  let  anything  but  your  arm  touch  his  back,  and 
as  soon  as  you  have  the  shafts  square  over  him,  let  the 
person  on  the  opposite  side  take  hold  of  one  of  them, 
and  lower  them  very  gently  to  the  shaft-bearers.  Be 
very  slow  and  deliberate  about  hitching ;  the  longer 
time  you  take, the  better,  as  a  general  thing.  When 
you  have  the  shafts  placed,  shake  them  slightly,  so  that 
he  will  feel  them  against  each  side.  As  soon  as  he  will 
bear  them  without  scaring,  fasten  your  braces,  etc., 
and  start  him  along  very  slowly.  Let  one  man  lead 
the  horse,  to  keep  him  gentle,  while  the  other  grad- 
ually works  back  with  the  lines  till  he  can  get  behind 
and  drive  him.  After  you  have  driven  him  in  this  way 
a  short  distance,  you  can  get  mto  the  sulky  and  all 
Will  go  right.  It  is  very  important  to  have  your  horse 
go  gently,  when  you  first  hitch  him.  After  you  have 
walked  him  awhile,  there  is  not  half  so  much  danger 
of  his  scaring.  Men  do  very  wrong  to  jump  behind  a 
horse  to  drive  him  as  soon  as  they  have  him  hitched. 
There  are  too  many  things  for  him  to  comprehend  all 
at  once.  The  shafts,  the  lines,  the  harness  and  the 
rattling  of  the  sulky,  all  tend  to  scare  him,  and  he  must 
be  made  familiar  with  them  by  degrees.  If  your  horse 
is  very  wild,  I  would  advise  you  to  put  up  one  foot  the 
first  time  you  drive  him. 


Stand  Without  Holding.  87 

HOW   TO     TEACH    A    HORSE   TO    FOLLOW   YOU. 

Place  liim  in  a  large  barn  with  a  bridle  on,  gentle  him  a 
little.  Take  hold  of  the  bridle,  turn  him  towards  you, 
at  the  same  time  touch  liim  lightly  with  a  long  whip  over 
tthe  shoulders.  Lead  him  the  length  of  the  barn,  cares 
ing  him,  at  the  same  time  come  along — calling  him  by 
name  in  a  gentle  tone  of  voice.  Each  time  he  turns, 
touch  him  with  the  whip  to  keep  him  up  close  to  you. 
He  will  soon  learn  to  keep  close  to  you  to  escaj^e  the 
whip  and  to  be  caressed,  and  he  will  follow  without  tak- 
ing hold  of  the  bridle.  If  he  should  stop,  give  him  a 
isliarp  cut  about  the  Mnd  legs ;  he  will  soon  turn  towards 
you,  when  he  should  be  caressed.  After  a  few  lessons  of 
this  kind,  he  will  run  after  you  when  he  sees  the  motion 
of  the  whip.  He  may  then  be  taken  into  a  yard,  and 
then  in  the  road  or  anywhere  else. 

HOW  TO  TEACH  A  HOESE  TO  STAND  WITHOUT  HOLDING. 

After  he  has  learned  to  follow  you,  f)lace  him  in  the  cen- 
tre of  the  stable,  begin  at  his  neck  to  caress  him,  gradu- 
ally working  backwards,  until  you  can  get  around  him 
without  making  him  m.ove,  then  gradually  enlarge  your 
circle.  If  he  moves,  give  him  a  sharp  cut  with  a  wliip, 
and  place  him  back  in  his  place.  If  he  stands,  approach 
him  occasionally  and  caress  him.  Make  him  come  to 
jou  occasionally  and  follow  you  ;  not  keeping  him  in  one 
position  too  long — half  an  hour  is  long  enough  to  train 
a  horse  at  a  time, 

HOW  TO  TEACH  A  HOESE  TO  PACE  AND  INCREASE  HIS  STRIDE, 

If  you  wish  to  learn  yom-  horse  to  pace,  buckle  a  six 
pound  weight  around  each  ankle  of  his  liind  legs ;  ride 
him  briskly .  with  these  weights  attached,  at  the  same  time 
alternately  twitch  each  rein  of  the  bridle ;  this  will  throw 
him  into  a  pace  ;  repeat  the  lessons  every  day  for  a  short 
time,  and  then  decrease  the  weights  gradually  for  twelve 
days,  when  they  may  be  entirely  removed.  If  you  de- 
sire to  increase  the  stride  of  either  a  trotting  or  pacing 
iiorsej  buckle  a  strap  around  the  arm  of  each  fore-leg. 
& 


88  The  Horse  Farrier. 

how  to  teach  a  horse  to  make  a  bow, 
Take  the  horse  by  the  bits,  and  take  hold  of  the  top  of 
his  head,  pinch  it  as  you  draw  it  down  ^  in  a  short  time 
you  can  draw  it  down  by  pulling  his  main,  using  some 
word  that  he  will  get  familiar  Tsdth ;  after  a  Httle  practice 
he  will  make  a  bow  by  pulling  his  mane  or  using  the  fa- 
miliar word.  This  is  the  way  showmen  train  horses  to  use 
in  the  ring.  By  patience  and  perseverance  you  can  learn  a 
horse  as  many  pranks  as  Dan  Rice  learns  his. 

BREAKING   COLTS, 

As  thi  ssubject  is  one  of  vital  importance,  wo  veture  a 
few  remarks  in  addition  to  Mr  Rarey's  method.  The 
breaking  of  colts  may  commence  at  an  early  age 
As  tney  aavance  towards  maturity  they  become  more 
fixed  in  their  habits,  are  more  resolute  in  their  temper^ 
less  able  to  be  taught,  and  are  able  to  offer  greater 
resistance,  and  there  is  less  danger  of  their  injuring 
themselves  or  their  trainer,  by  their  efforts  to  free 
themselves  from  restraint.  The  training  of  a  colt  may 
commence  before  they  are  a  month  old,  by  handling, 
caressing,  ciirrying,  and  making  a  pet  of  them,  tak- 
ing care  to  touch  them  only  in  such  places  as  are 
agreeable  to  them,  such  as  the  back,  jowls,  and  the  un- 
der side  of  the  neck,  taking  care  to  avoid  the  ears. 
A  halter  may  be  put  on  when  three  months  old,  one 
that  wiU  be  impossible  for  them  to  break.  Fasten  it  to 
the  collar  of  the  mare,  and  teach  them  to  follow  the 
mare  thus  early,  being  careful  that  they  do  not  hang 
back  on  the  halter.  The  habit  once  confirmed,  it  will 
be  difficult  to  break  them  of  it.  Let  perfect  kindness 
characterise  all  your  first  efforts — reward  every  act  of 
obedience,  and  bring  them  under  perfect  subjection. 


Breaking  of  Colts. 


89 


Of  all  the  vicious  habits  which  are  fomid  in  horses, 
we  believe  nine-tenths  are  owing  to  unkind  treatment, 
harsh  usage,  and  improper  management. 

A  colt  may  be  broken  to  do  very  light  work  in  har- 
ness at  two  years  old,  but  should  not  be  backed,  ex- 
cept by  a  small  boy,  until  three,  and  a  light  man  until 
four  years  old.  When  he  becomes  accustomed  to  the 
reins,  a  person  may  take  hold  of  the  traces  and  occas- 
ionally puU  on  them,  teaching  the  colt  to  keep  steadily 
along,  whether  he  feels  any  draught  •bn  his  shoulders 
or  not. 


EXTERNAL  PARTS  OF  THE  HORSE. 


Muzzle. 
Race. 
Forehead. 
Poll 
Crest. 
Jowl. 
Gullet. 
Windpipe. 
Point  of  Shoulder. 
,  Breast  or  Bosom. 


11,  Arm. 

12,  Elbow. 

13,  Girth. 

14,  Flank. 
16,  Sheath. 

16,  Stifles. 

17,  Withers. 

18,  Back. 

19,  Loins. 

20,  Hip. 


21,  Croup. 

22,  Dock. 

23,  Quarter. 

24,  Thigh  or  Gaskin. 

25,  Hamstring. 

26,  Joint  of  Hock. 

27,  Ham  or  Hock. 
23,  Common. 

29,  Fetlock. 

8U,  Large  Pastern. 


31,  Small    Pastern. 
82,  Coronet. 
3;3,  Hoo£ 

34,  Knee. 

35,  Common. 

36,  Fetlock. 

37,  Heel. 

38,  Large. 

39,  Small    Pastern 

40,  Hoof  Pastern. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


GENERAL  MANAGEMENT,  ETC.,  OF  THE  HORSE. 


STABLING. 

This  matter  has  not  received  the  attention  that  its 
importance  demands.  A  situation  should  be  selected 
which  will  admit  of  draining,  sheltered  from  the  coldest 
winds,  and  easy  of  access.  In  damp,  unventilated 
stables,  you  will  be  the  most  likely  to  find  such  dis- 
eases as  mange,  coughs,  bad  eyes,  greasy  heels,  swelled- 
legs,  glanders,  farcy,  and  rough,  dry,  staring  coat. — 
Stables  should  be  about  sixteen  to  eighteen  feet  in 
width,  and  have  six  feet  for  each  stall.  It  is  well  to 
have  a  door  at  each  end  when  convenient,  for  the 
purpose  of  ventilation,  when  necessary.  It  should  be 
about  eight  by  five  feet.  Accidents  often  occur  from 
having  it  too  narrow ;  it  may  be  double.  It  should 
be  so  hung  as  to  swing  back  of  its  own  accord. 
The  edges  of  the  posts  should  be  rounded  ;  the  ceiling 
should  be  at  least  nine  feet  in  height. 

The  stable  should  be  so  contrived  that  the  urine 
shall  quickly  run  ofi",  and  the  oftensive  and  injurious 
vapor  from  decomposing  fluid  and  the  litter  will  thus 


Am  AND  Litter.  91 

be  materially  lessened  ;  but  if  this  is  effected  by  means 
of  gutters  and  a  descending  floor,  the  descent  must  be 
barely  sufficient  to  cause  the  fluid  to  escape,  as,  if  the 
toes  are  kept  higher  than  the  heels,  it  will  lead  to 
lameness,  and  is  also  a  frequent  cause  of  contraction  of 
the  foot.  Stalls  of  this  kind  certainly  do  best  for 
mares  ;  but  for  horses  we  much  prefer  those  with  a 
gratmg  in  the  centre,  and  a  slight  inclination  of  the 
floor  on  every  side  towards  the  middle.  A  short 
branch  may  communicate  with  a  larger  drain,  by 
means  of  which  the  urine  may  be  carried  off  to  a 
reservoir  outside  the  stable.  Traps  are  now  contrived, 
and  may  be  procured  at  little  expense,  by  means  of 
which  neither  any  offensive  smell  nor  current  of  air 
can  pass  through  the  grating. 

AIR    AND    LITTER. 

The  breathing  of  pure  air  is  necessary  to  the  ex- 
istence and  the  health  of  man  and  beast.  It  is  com- 
paratively lately  that  this  has  been  admitted  even  in 
the  management  of  our  best  stables. 

If  the  stable  is  close,  the  air  will  not  only  be  hot,  but 
foul.  The  breathing  of  every  animal  contaminates  it ; 
and  when,  in  the  course  of  the  night,  with  every 
aperture  stoj^ped,  it  passes  again  and  again  through 
the  lungs,  the  blood  cannot  undergo  its  proper  and 
healthy  change  ;  digestion  will  not  be  so  perfectly  per- 
formed, and  all  the  functions  of  life  are  injured. 

Every  stable  should  possess  within  itself  a  certain 
degree  of  ventilation.  The  cost  of  this  would  be 
trifling,  and  its  saving  in  the  preservation  of  valuable 
animals  will  be  immense.     The  appertures  need  not 


92  The  Horse  Farrier. 

be  large,  and  the  whole  may  be  so  contrived  that  no 
direct  current  of  air  will  fall  on  the  horse. 

The  temperature  of  a  stable  should  seldom  exceed 
70*^  in  the  summer  or  sink  below  40°  or  50°  in  the 
winter. 

Litter  should  be  frequently  removed.  The  early  ex- 
trication of  gas  shows  the  rapid  putrefaction  of  the 
urine ;  and  the  consequence  of  which  will  be  the  rapid 
putrefaction  of  the  Utter  that  has  been  moistened  by  it. 
Everything  hastening  to  decomposition  should  be  care- 
fully removed  where  life  and  health  are  to  be  pre- 
served. The  Utter  that  has  been  much  wetted  or  at 
aU  softened  by  the  urine,  and  is  beginnmg  to  decay, 
should  be  swept  away  every  morning ;  the  greater 
part  of  the  remainder  may  then  be  piled  away  under 
the  manger  ;  a  little  being  left  to  prevent  the  painful 
and  injurious  pressure  of  the  feet  on  the  hard  pave- 
ment during  the  day.  The  soiled  and  soaked  portion 
of  that  which  was  left  should  be  removed  at  night. 
In  the  better  kind  of  stables,  however,  the  staUs  should 
be  completely  emptied  every  morning. 

No  heap  of  fermenting  dung  should  be  suffered  to 
remain  during  the  day  in  the  corner  or  in  any  part  of 
the  stable. 

GKOOMES-G. 

Of  this,  much  need  not  be  said  to  the  agriculturist, 
since  custom,  and  apparently  without  ill  effect,  has  al- 
lotted so  little  of  the  comb  and  brush  to  the  farmer's 
horse.  The  animal  that  is  worked  all  day,  and  turned 
out  at  night,  requires  little  more  to  be  done  to  him 
than  to  have  the  dirt  brushed  off  Ms  Umbs.  Regular 
groommg,  by  rendering  his  skin  more  sensible  to  the 


Grooming.  93 

alternation  of  temperature,  and  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather,  would  be  prejudicial.  The  horse  that  is  alto- 
gether turned  out,  needs  no  grooming.  The  dandruff, 
or  scurf,  which  accumulates  at  the  roots  of  the  hair,  is 
a  provision  of  nature  to  defend  him  from  the  wind  and 
the  cold. 

The  stable  horse,  however,  should  be  dressed  regular- 
ly every  day,  in  addition  to  the  grooming  that  is  neces- 
sary after  work. 

Whoever  would  be  convinced  of  the  benefit  of 
friction  to  the  horse's  skin,  and  to  the  horse  generally, 
needs  only  to  observe  the  effects  produced  by  well 
hand-rubbing  the  legs  of  a  tired  horse.  While  every 
enlargement  subsides,  and  the  painful  stiffness  disap- 
pears, and  the  legs  attain  their  natural  warmth,  and 
become  fine,  the  animal  is  evidently  and  rapidly  re- 
viving ;  he  attacks  his  food  with  appetite,  and  then 
quietly  lies  down  to  rest. 

When,  however,  the  horse  is  changing  his  coat,  both 
the  curry-comb  and  the  brush  should  be  used  as  light- 
ly as  possible. 

Boiled  barley,  boiled  or  raw  linseed,  raw  carrots,  and 
boiled  turnips,  are  among  the  articles  of  food  that  lay 
the  hair,  and  soften  the  skin. 

Grooming  should  be  conducted  out  of  the  stable, 
whenever  practicable.  Mud  should  never  be  allowed 
to  dry  on  the  legs  or  feet.  They  should  be  got  cool, 
dry  and  clean,  by  washing,  scraping,  rubbing  and  walk- 
ing a  heated  horse ;  and  they  should  never  be  left  in  a 
cold  draft,  when  warm.  Cleanliness  is  indispensable  to 
the  health  of  a  horse. 


94  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

dressing  vicious  horses. 

Many  horses  are  rendered  vicious  to  clean,  by  the 
awkwardness,  timidity,  and  folly  of  the  keeper.  An 
awkward  man  gives  the  horse  more  pain  than  ought  to 
attend  the  op®i'ation.  A  timid  man  allows  the  horse 
to  master  him,  and  a  mischievous  fellow  is  always  learn- 
ing him  tricks. 

Biting  may  be  prevented  by  putting  on  a  muzzle,  or 
by  tying  the  head  to  the  rack,  or  to  the  ring  outside 
of  the  stable.  When  reversed  in  the  stall,  the  head 
may  be  secured  by  the  pillar-reins.  A  muzzle  often 
deters  a  horse  from  attempting  to  bite,  but  some  will 
strike  a  man  to  the  ground,  though  they  cannot  seize 
him.  These  must  be  tied  up.  Many  harness-horses 
are  perfectly  quiet  while  they  are  bridled,  and  it  is  suf- 
ficient to  let  the  bridle  remain  on,  or  to  put  it  on,  till 
they  be  dressed.  Others,  again,  are  quite  safe  when 
blindfolded.  Kicking  horses  are  more  dangerous  than 
biters.  A  great  many  strike  out,  and  are  apt  to  injure 
an  awkward  groom ;  yet  they  are  not  so  bad  but  an 
expert  fellow  may  manage  them,  without  using  any 
restraint,  A  switch  held  always  in  the  hand,  in  view 
of  the  horse,  and  lightly  applied,  or  threatened  when 
he  attempts  to  strike,  will  render  others  comparatively 
docile.  A  few  permit  their  hind  quarters  to  be  cleaned 
while  their  clothes  are  on.  Some  there  are,  however, 
that  cannot  be  managed  so  easily.  They  strike  out ; 
those  especially  that  lead  idle  lives,  so  quickly  and  so 
maliciously,  that  the  groom  is  m  great  danger,  and 
cannot  get  his  work  properly  performed.  There  are 
two  remedies— the  arm-strap  and  the  twitch.*     Where 

*  See  page  78, 


D  ?'-;s.^TNG  Vicioa.s  Horses.  95 

anotlicr  ni;ui  cannot  be  spared  to  assist,  one  of  the  fore 
legs  is  tied  up;  the  knee  is  bent  till  the  foot  almost 
touclies  the  elbow,  and  a  broad  buckling-strap  is  ap- 
plied over  the  fore-arm  and  the  pastern.  The  horse 
then  stands  upon  three  legs,  and  the  groom  is  in  no 
danger  of  a  kick.  Until  the  horse  is  accustomed  to 
stand  in  this  way,  he  is  apt  to  throw  himself  down ; 
For  the  first  two  or  three  times,  the  leg  should  be  held 
up  by  a  man,  rather  than  tied  with  a  strap.  The  horse 
should  stand  on  a  thick  bed  of  litter,  so  that  he  may 
not  be  injured,  should  he  fall.  In  course  of  time,  he 
may  perhaps  become  quieter,  and  the  arm-strap  may 
be  thrown  aside.  It  should  not  be  applied  always  to 
the  same  leg,  for  it  produces  a  tendency  to  knuckling 
over  of  the  pastern,  which,  in  a  great  measure,  is 
avoided  by  tying  up  each  leg  alternately.  Even  the 
arm-strap  will  not  prevent  some  horses  from  kicking. 
Some  can  stand  on  two  legs,  and  some  will  throw  them- 
selves doAvn.  The  man  must  just  coax  the  horse,  and 
get  over  the  operation  with  as  little  irritation  as  pos- 
sible. Upon  extraordinary  occasions,  the  twitch  may 
be  employed,  but  it  must  not  be  applied  every  day, 
otherwise  the  lip  upon  which  it  is  placed  becomes  in- 
flamed or  palsied.  When  restraint  must  be  resorted 
to,  the  man  should  be  doubly  active  in  getting  through 
his  work,  that  the  horse  may  not  be  kept  for  a  need- 
less length  of  time  in  pain.  He  may,  in  some  cases, 
give  the  horse  a  very  complete  dressing  when  he  is 
fatigued,  and  not  disposed  to  offer  much  resistance. 

EXERCISE. 

Our  observations  on  this  important  branch  of  sta- 
ble-management must  have  only  a  slight  reference  to 


96  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

the  agricultural  horse.  His  work  is  usually  regular, 
and  not  exhausting.  He  is  neither  predisposed  to  dis- 
ease by  idleness,  nor  worn  out  by  excessive  exertion. 
He,  like  his  master,  has  enough  to  do  to  keep  him  in 
health,  and  not  enough  to  distress  or  injure  him :  on 
the  contrary,  the  regularity  of  his  work  prolongs  hfe 
to  an  extent  rarely  witnessed  in  the  stable.  Our  re- 
marks on  exercise,  then,  must  have  a  general  bearing. 
The  first  rule  we  would  lay  down  is,  that  every  horse 
should  have  daily  exercise.  The  animal  that,  with  the 
usual  stable-feeding,  stands  idle  for  three  or  four  days, 
as  is  the  case  in  many  establishments,  must  suffer.  He 
is  predisposed  to  fever,  or  to  grease,  or  most  of  all, 
diseases  of  the  foot ;  and  if,  after  three  or  four  days  of 
inactivity,  he  is  ridden  far  and  fast,  he  is  almost  sure 
to  have  inflammation  of  the  lungs  or  of  the  feet. 

A  stable-fed  horse  should  have  two  hours'  exercise 
every  day,  if  he  is  to  be  kept  free  from  disease.  Noth- 
ing of  extraordinary,  or  even  of  ordinary  labor,  can  be 
effected  on  the  road  or  in  the  field,  without  sufiicient 
and  regular  exercise.  It  is  this  alone  which  can  give 
energy  to  the  system,  or  develope  the  powers  of  any 
animal. 

Exercise  should  be  somewhat  proportioned  to  the 
age  of  the  horse.  A  young  horse  requires  more  than 
an  old  one.  Nature  has  given  to  young  animals  of 
every  kind  a  disposition  to  activity  ;  but  the  exercise 
must  not  be  violent.  A  great  deal  depends  upon  the 
manner  in  which  it  is  given.  To  preserve  the  temper, 
and  to  promote  health,  it  should  be  moderate,  at  least 
at  the  beginning  and  the  termination.  The  rapid  trot, 
or  even  the  galloj^,  may  be  resorted  to  m  the  middle 
of  the  exercise,  but  the  horse  should  be  brought  in  cool. 


Feeding.  97 

FOOD. 

The  system  of  manger-feeding  is  becoming  general 
among  farmers.  There  are  few  horses  that  do  not 
habitually  waste  a  portion  of  their  hay ;  and  by  some 
the  greater  part  is  pulled  doA^n  and  trampled  under 
foot,  in  order  first  to  cull  the  sweetest  and  best  locks, 
and  which  could  not  be  done  while  the  hay  was  en- 
closed in  the  rack.  A  good  feeder  will  afterwards  pick 
up  much  of  that  which  was  thrown  down ;  but  some 
of  it  must  be  soiled  and  rendered  disgusting,  and,  in 
many  cases,  one-third  of  this  division  of  their  food  is 
wasted.  Some  of  the  oats  and  feed  are  imperfectly 
chewed  by  all  horses,  and  scarcely  at  all  by  hungry  and 
greedy  ones.  The  appearance  of  the  dung  will  suffi- 
ciently evince  this. 

The  observation  of  this  induced  the  adoption  of 
manger-feeding,  or  of  mixing  a  portion  of  cut  feed  with 
the  grain.  By  this  means  the  animal  is  compelled  to 
chew  his  food.  He  cannot,  to  any  great  degree,  waste 
the  straw  or  hay ;  the  feed  is  too  hard  and  too  sharp 
to  be  swallowed  without  sufficient  mastication,  and, 
while  he  is  forced  to  grind  that  down,  the  oats  are 
ground  with  it,  and  yield  more  nourishment ;  the 
stomach  is  more  slowly  filled,  and  therefore  acts  better 
on  its  contents,  and  is  not  so  likely  to  be  overloaded ; 
and  the  increased  quantity  of  saliva  throAvn  out  in  the 
lengthened  maceration  of  the  food,  softens  it,  and 
makes  it  more  fit  for  digestion. 

Many  farmers  very  properly  grind  the  oats  or  corn. 
The  whole  oat  is  apt  to  slip  out  of  the  feed  and  be  lost ; 
but  when  it  is  bruised,  and  especially  if  the  feed  is  a 
little  wetted,  it  will  not  readily  separate ;  or,  should  a 


98  The  Horse  Fareiee. 

portion  of  it  escape  the  grinders,  it  will  be  partly  pre- 
pared for  digestion  by  the  act  of  bruismg.  Horses  of 
quicker  draught,  except  they  are  naturally  disposed  to 
scour,  will  thrive  better  with  bruised  than  with  whole 
oats ;  for  a  greater  quantity  of  nutriment  will  be  ex- 
tracted ii*om  the  food. 

For  the  agricultural  and  cart-horse,  eight  pounds  of 
oats  should  be  added  to  every  twenty  pounds  of  cut 
feed.  Thu'ty-four  or  tMrty-six  pounds  of  the  mixture 
will  be  sufficient  for  any  moderate-sized  horse,  with 
fair,  or  even  hard  work.  The  dray  and  wagon-horse 
may  require  forty  pounds.  Hay  in  the  rack  at  night 
is,  in  this  case,  supposed  to  be  omitted  altogether. 
The  rack,  however,  may  remain,  as  occasionally  useful 
for  the  sick  horse,  or  to  contain  tares  or  other  green 
feed. 

Horses  are  very  fond  of  this  provender.  The  major- 
ity of  them,  after  having  been  accustomed  to  it,  will 
leave  the  best  oats  given  to  them  alone,  for  the  sake 
of  the  mingled  cut  feed  and  grain.  We  would,  how- 
ever, caution  the  farmer  not  to  set  apart  too  much 
damaged  hay  for  the  manufacture  of  the  feed.  The 
horse  may  thus  be  induced  to  eat  that  which  he  would 
otherwise  refuse ;  but  if  the  nourishing  property  of  the 
hay  has  been  impaired,  or  it  has  acquired  an  injurious 
princij^le,  the  animal  will  either  lose  condition,  or  be- 
come diseased.  For  old  horses,  and  for  those  with  de- 
fective teeth,  cut  feed  is  peculiarly  useful,  and  for  them 
should  be  broken  down  as  well  as  the  fodder. 

While  the  mixture  of  chaff  with  the  grain  prevents 
it  from  being  too  rapidly  devoured,  and  a  portion  of 
it  swallowed  whole,  and  therefore  the  stomach  is  not 


CcT  Feed.  99 

too  loaded  with  that  on  which,  as  containing  the  most 
nutriment,  its  chief  digestive  power  should  be  exerted, 
yet,  on  the  whole,  a  great  deal  of  time  is  gained  by 
this  mode  of  feeding,  and  more  is  left  for  rest.  When 
a  horse  comes  in  wearied  at  the  close  of  the  day,  it  oc- 
cuj)ies,  after  he  has  eaten  his  grain,  two  or  three  hours 
to  clear  his  rack.  On  the  system  of  manger-feeding, 
the  feed  being  already  cut  into  small  pieces,  and  the 
corn  and  oats  ground,  he  is  able  fully  to  satisfy  his 
appetite  in  an  hour  and  a  half.  Two  additional  hours 
are  therefore  devoted  to  rest.  This  is  a  circumstance 
deserving  of  much  consideration,  even  in  the  farmer's 
stable,  and  of  immense  consequence  to  stage-coach 
proprietors,  and  the  owner  of  every  hard-worked  horse. 

Manger-food  will  be  the  usual  support  of  the  farmer's 
horse  during  the  winter,  and  while  at  constant  or  oc- 
casional hard  work  ;  but  from  the  middle  of  April  to 
the  end  of  July,  he  may  be  fed  with  this  mixture  in  the 
day,  and  turned  out  at  night,  or  he  may  remain  out 
during  every  rest  day.  A  team  m  constant  employ 
should  not,  however,  be  suftered  to  be  out  at  night  after 
the  end  of  July. 

The  farmer  should  take  care  that  the  pasture  is  thick 
and  good. 

Every  barn  should  be  suppUed  with  a  feed-cutter, 
and  it  should  be  kept  in  daily  use  ;  and  experience  has 
proved  that  eight  ears  of  corn  crushed,  is  better  feed, 
and  will  keep  a  horse  in  a  better  condition  than  twelve 
fed  to  him  without  crushing.  Thirty  or  forty  per  cent. 
is  saved  by  grinding  the  grain  and  mixing  it  with  cut 
feed.  They  should  be  fed  at  regular  intervals,  their 
diet  often  changed,  and  no  more  given  at  a  time  than 
they  will  eat. 


100  The  Horse  Faekier. 

Carrots. — The  virtues  of  this  root  are  not  sufficient- 
ly known,  whether  as  contributing  to  the  strength  and 
endurance  of  the  sound  horse,  or  the  rapid  recovery  of 
the  sick  one.  To  the  healthy  horse,  they  should  be 
given  sliced  in  his  feed.  Half  a  bushel  will  be  a  fair 
daily  allowance.  There  is  little  provender  of  which 
the  horse  is  fonder.  The  following  account  of  the  val- 
ue of  the  carrot  is  not  exaggerated.  "  This  root  is  held 
in  much  esteem.  There  is  none  better,  nor  perhaj^s  so 
good.  When  first  given,  it  is  slightly  diuretic  and 
laxative ;  but  as  the  horse  becomes  accustomed  to  it, 
these  effects  cease  to  be  produced.  They  also  improve 
the  state  of  the  skin.  They  form  a  good  substitute  for 
grass,  and  an  excellent  alterative  for  horses  out  of  con- 
dition. To  sick  and  idle  horses,  they  render  grain  un- 
necessary. They  are  beneficial  in  all  chronic  diseases 
connected  with  breathing,  and  liave  a  marked  influence 
upon  chronic  cough  and  broken  wind.  They  are  ser- 
viceable in  diseases  of  the  skin,  and  in  combination  with 
oats  they  restore  a  worn  horse  much  sooner  than  oats 
alone. 

Potatoes  have  been  given,  and  with  advantage,  in 
their  raw  state,  shced  with  the  chaff";  but,  where  it 
has  been  convenient  to  boil  or  steam  them,  the  benefit 
has  been  far  more  evident.  Purging  has  then  rarely 
ensued.  Some  have  given  boiled  potatoes,  alone,  and 
horses,  instead  of  rejecting  them,  have  soon  preferred 
them  even  to  oats ;  but  it  is  better  to  mix  them  with 
the  usual  manger-feed,  in  the  proportion  of  one  pound 
of  potatoes  to  two  and  a  half  pounds  of  the  other  in- 
gredients. The  use  of  the  potatoe  must  de]3end  on  its 
cheapness,  and  the  facility  for  boifing  it.  Half  a  dozen 
horses  would  soon  repay  the  expense  of  a  steaming- 


Watee.  101 

boiler,  in  the  saving  of  provender,  without  taking  into 
the  account  their  improved  condition  and  capability 
for  work.  A  horse  fed  on  potatoes  should  have  his 
quantity  of  water  materially  curtailed. 

Prof.  Low  says  that  fifteen  pounds  of  potatoes  yield 
as  much  nourishment  as  four  pounds  and  a  half  of  oats. 
Yon  Thayer  asserts  that  three  bushels  are  equal  to  112 
pounds  of  hay ;  and  Curwen,  who  tried  potatoes  ex- 
tensively  in  the  feeding  of  horses,  says  that  an  acre 
goes  as  far  as  four  acres  of  hay. 

Water. — This  is  a  part  of  stable  management  little 
regarded  by  the  farmer.  He  lets  his  horses  loose 
mornmg  and  night,  and  they  go  to  the  nearest  pond  or 
brook,  and  drink  their  fill,  and  no  harm  results,  for 
they  obtain  that  kind  of  water  which  nature  designed 
them  to  have,  in  a  manner  prepared  for  them  by  some 
unknown  influence  of  the  atmosphere,  as  well  as  by 
the  deposition  of  many  saline  admixtures.  The  differ- 
ence between  hard  and  soft  water  is  known  to  every 
one.  In  soft  water,  soap  will  curdle,  vegetables  will 
not  boil  soft,  and  the  saccharine  matter  of  the  malt  can- 
not be  fully  obtained  in  the  process  of  brewing.  There 
is  nothmg  in  which  the  different  effect  of  hard  and  soft 
water  is  so  evident  as  in  the  stomach  and  digestive  or- 
gans of  the  horse.  Hard  water,  drawn  fresh  from  the 
well,  will  assuredly  make  the  coat  of  a  horse  unaccus- 
tomed to  it  stare,  and  it  will  not  unfrequently  gripe 
and  otherwise  injure  him.  Instmct  or  experience  has 
made  even  the  horse  himself  conscious  of  this,  for  he 
will  never  drink  hard  water  if  he  has  access  to  soft  ; 
and  he  will  leave  the  most  transparent  and  pure  water 
of  the  well  for  a  river,  although  the  stream  may  be 


102  The  Horse  Farbiee. 

turbid,  and  even  for  the  muddiest  pool.  He  is  injured, 
however,  not  so  much  by  the  hardness  of  the  well-wa- 
ter, as  by  its  coldness — particularly  by  its  coldness  in 
summer,  and  when  it  is  in  many  degrees  below  the 
temperature  of  the  atmosphere.  The  water  in  the 
brook  and  the  pond  being  warmed  by  long  exposure 
to  the  air,  as  well  as  having  become  soft,  the  horse 
drinks  freely  of  it  without  danger. 

If  the  horse  were  watered  three  times  a  day,  and  es- 
pecially in  summer,  he  would  often  be  saved  from  the 
sad  torture  of  thirst,  and  from  many  a  disease. 

AGE. 

To  be  able  to  ascertain  the  age  of  a  horse,  with  tol- 
erable certainty,  is  a  subject  of  considerable  importance 
to  every  person  who  may  have  occasion  to  purchase. 

The  following  rules  will  enable  any  man  to  ascertain 
with  tolerable  certainty  the  age  of  any  horse.  Every 
horse  has  six  teeth  above  and  below  :  before  he  arrives 
at  the  age  of  three,  he  sheds  his  two  middle  teeth,  by 
the  young  teeth  rising  and  shoving  the  old  ones  out 
of  their  place.  When  he  arrives  at  the  age  of  three, 
he  sheds  one  more  on  each  side  of  the  middle  teeth ; 
when  four  years  old,  he  sheds  two  corner  and  the  last  of 
his  fore  teeth ;  between  four  and  five,  he  cuts  his  imder 
tusks,  and  when  five,  will  cut  his  upper  tusks,  and  have 
a  mouth  full  and  complete;  his  teeth  appearing  to  have 
their  full  growth,  except  the  tusks,  and  will  be  even, 
regularly  placed,  and  pretty  much  grooved  on  the  in- 
side, Avith  hollows  of  a  very  dark  brown  color.  There 
is  also  a  very  plain  difi*erence  between  colt's  and  horse's 
teeth  ;  the  colt's  being  without  grooves  and  hollows, 
and  never  so  large  and  strong.     Some  l)orses  are  with- 


Age  of  Horses.  103 

out  upper  tusks,  even  to  the  end  of  their  lives ;  but 
this  is  not  common.  The  appearance  of  the  lower  tusks, 
and  them  fully  grown,  is  the  most  certain  proof  that 
the  horse  is  five  years  old,  even  if  one  of  his  colt's  teeth 
remains  unshed.  At  six  years  old,  the  grooves  and 
hollows  in  a  horse's  mouth  begin  to  fill  up  a  little,  and 
their  tusks  have  their  full  growth,  with  their  points 
sharp,  and  a  little  concave,  or  hollow  on  the  inside. 
At  seven  years  old,  the  grooves  and  hollows  will  be 
pretty  well  filled  below,  except  the  corner  teeth,  leav- 
ing, where  the  dark  brown  hollows  formerly  were,  lit- 
tle brown  spots.  At  eight,  the  whole  of  the  hollows 
and  grooves  are  fiUed  up,  and  you  see  the  appearance 
of  what  is  termed  smooth  below.  At  nine  years  old 
there  very  often  appears  a  small  bill  to  the  outside 
corner  teeth ;  the  point  of  the  tusk  is  worn  ofi",  and 
the  part  that  was  concave  begins  to  fill  up  and  become 
rounding ;  the  squares  of  the  middle  teeth  begin  to 
disappear,  and  the  gums  leave  them  small  and  narrow 
at  the  toj).  Dealers  in  horses  sometimes  drill  or  hol- 
low the  teeth  with  a  graver,  and  black  the  hoUows  by 
using  a  hot  iron,  for  the  purpose  of  passing  an  old  horse 
for  a  young  one,  upon  those  who  have  but  little  or  no 
experience  uj^on  the  subject.  But  a  discerning  eye 
will  readily  discover  the  cheat,  by  the  unnatural  shape 
and  blackness  of  the  hollows,  the  duUness  and  round 
ness  of  the  tusks,  together  T^ith  the  want  of  squares  to 
the  front,  and  by  many  other  \isible  marks,  which  de- 
note the  advanced  age  of  a  horse. 

Between  nine  and  ten  years  of  age,  a  horse  general- 
ly loses  the  marks  of  the  mouth,  though  there  are  a 
ievf  exceptions;  as  some  horses  retain  good  mouths  un- 


104  The  IIoksk  Farrier. 

til  they  are  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  old,  with  their 
teeth  white,  even,  and  regular,  and  many  other  marks 
of  freshness  and  vigor.     But  when  a  horse  grows  old, 
it  may  be  discovered  by  these  indications,  which  com- 
monly attend  old  age,  viz :  The  gums  wear  away  and 
leave  the  roots  of  the  teeth  long  and  slender;  the 
roots  grow  yellow,  and  often  brownish  ;  the  bars  of 
the  mouth  (which  are  always  fleshy,  plump,  and  dry,  in 
a  young  horse,  and  form  so  many  distinct,  firm  ridges,) 
in  an  old  horse  are  lean,  smooth,  and  are  covered  with 
saliva,  with  few  or  no  ridges.     The  eyes  of  a  young  horse 
appear  plump,  full,  and  lively  ;  the  lids  with  fcAV  wrink- 
les, the  hollows  above  the  ball  small,  and  no  gray  hairs 
upon  the  brow,  unless  they  proceed  from  the  color  or 
marks  of  the  horse.     The  eyes  of  an  old  horse  appear 
sleepy,  dim  and  sunk,  and  the  lids  loose  and  very  much 
shriveled,  with  large  hollows,  and  the  brow  gray.     The 
countenance  of  a  yoimg  horse  is  bold,  gay,  and  lively ; 
while  that  of  an  old  one  is  sad,  dejected,  and  melan- 
choly, unless  mounted,  and  artificial  means  used  to  give 
him  spirit. 

The  age  can  be  ascertained  by  a  wrinkle  over  the 
eye  after  they  are  nine  years  old.  A  wrinkle  comes  on 
the  eyelid  at  the  upper  corner  of  the  lower  lid,  and 
every  year  thereafter  he  has  one  well-defined  wrinkle 
for  each  year  over  nine.  If,  for  instance,  a  horse  has 
three  wrinkles,  he  is  twelve ;  if  four,  he  is  thirteen. 
And  add  the  number  of  wi'inkles  to  nine,  and  you  will 
always  get  it. 

TO  SAVE  HORSES  FROM  FIRE. 

The  difficulty  of  getting  horses  from  burning  stables 
is  well  known.  The  remedy  is  to  blind-fold  them  per- 
fectly, and  by  gentle  usage,  they  may  easily  be  led  out. 


Scalded  Shorts.  105 

method  of  administering  medicines. 
We  know  of  no  improvement  to  the  common  custom 
of  administering  medicine  in  the  form  of  a  drench,  using 
a  common  champagne  bottle,  and  stand  a  little  elevated 
on  the  right  side  of  the  horse,  your  back  turned  towards 
his  body ;  then  take  a  firm  hold  of  the  lower  jaw  with 
the  left  hand,  at  the  same  time  moderately  elevating  the 
head,  (not  too  high,)  while  with  the  right  introduce  the 
bottle  between  the  canine  teeth  and  grinders,  keep  it  in 
that  position,  and  gradually  pour  down  the  contents  of 
the  bottle.  Time  should  be  taken.  If  it  is  poured  doAvn 
in  small  quantities,  so  much  the  better ;  the  horse  will 
be  more  likely  to  swallow  it,  especially  if  it  shall  be 
made  i>alatable  by  the  addition  of  a  few  caraway  seeds 
or  a  little  honey.  Medicine  given  in  the  fluid  form  is 
readily  taken  up  by  the  lacteals,  and  operates,  for  good 
or  evil,  in  much  less  time  than  balls.  Horses,  like  chil- 
dren, must  be  handled  in  the  most  gentle  manner.  They 
will  generally  refuse  to  drink  even  a  little  gruel,  when 
any  unnecessary  severity  is  resorted  to  in  its  administra- 
tion.    They  may  be  coaxed,  but  not  forced. 

SCALDED  SHORTS. 

Shorts,  as  they  are  familiarly  termed,  when  scalded 
make  an  excellent  diet  for  sick  animals.  The  usual 
method  of  preparation  is,  to  turn  two  or  three  quarts  of 
shorts  into  a  bucket,  to  which  add  boiling  water,  so  that  the 
mixture,  when  stirred,  shall  be  about  the  consistence  of 
a  soft  poultice ;  it  is  then  to  be  covered  with  a  cloth,  and 
not  given  to  the  horse  until  sufficiently  cool.  When  a 
horse  has  taken  cold,  and  labors  under  a  discharge  from 
the  nostrils,  the  mash  may  be  put  into  the  manger  while 
hot,  with  a  view  of  steaming  the  nasal  passages,  and  fa- 


106  The  Horse  Farrier. 

voring  the  discharge  of  morbid  accumulations.  This  is 
good  for  all  acute  diseases;  in  fever  and  all  inflamma- 
tory complaints;  it  is  useful  also  as  a  j)i*eparatiye  to 
physic,  serving  to  remove  ajiy  indurated  foeces  there  may 
be  in  the  bowels,  whereby  the  operation  of  the  medicine 
is  rendered  more  safe  and  aifectual.  When  a  horse  has 
been  fed  high  for  some  time,  a  change  to  a  diet  of  mash- 
es for  two  or  three  days  will  often  do  a  great  deal  of 
good. 

During  the  active  stage  of  acute  diseases  of  the  alimenta- 
ry canal — inflammation  of  the  bowels  for  example — food  of 
this  description  is  inadmissible,  and  such  articles  as  are 
mucilaginous,  or  lubricatmg,  are  used.  The  best  we  know 
of,  are  flaxseed,  marshmallows,  and  slippery  elm.  It  is 
customary  in  England,  in  large  stables,  to  set  a  boiler,  in 
which  hot  water  is  continually  kept  for  the  purposes  of 
the  stable,  and  more  particularly  for  making  bran  mashes^ 
and  at  night,  if  any  of  the  horses  look  dumpish,  (fatigued,) 
a  bran  mash  and  a  good  warm  bed  of  straw  generally  re- 
store them. 

JUDGING  THE  CHARACTER  OF  HORSES  BY  THEIR  COLOR. 

The  following  conclusions  are  the  result  of  long  exper- 
ience and  observation : 

Sorrel  or  chestnut  with  white  feet  and  head  are  marks 
of  kindness,  if  broad  and  full  between  the  eyes,  can  be 
depended  on  as  a  horse  of  good  sense,  and  capable  of  be- 
mg  trained  to  anything ;  they  will  not  stand  the  whip,  if 
well  fed. 

A  dish-faced  horse  indicates  too  much  go-head,  and  is 
not  safe  for  every  body. 

A  deep  bay,  without  a  white  hair,  indicates  one  of  great 
bottom,  but  rather  tricky  and  unsafe,  or  what  some  would 


Wakkantees.  107 

call  a  fool  of  a  horse.     If  you  want  one  that  will  never 
give  out,  never  try  a  large,  overgrown  horse. 

A  black  horse  cannot  stand  heat,  nor  a  white  one  cold. 
White  about  the  head — the  more  the  better — indicates 
docility.  Some  suppose  the  parti-colored  horses  belong- 
ing to  circuses,  shows,  &c.,  were  selected  for  their  oddi- 
ty, but  the  selection  is  made  on  account  of  theii'  great 
docility  and  gentleness. 

WARRANTEES. 

A  few  remarks  on  this  subject  may  be  serviceable  often 
to  the  farmers,  and  we  cannot  do  the  subject  better  jus- 
tice than  to  insert  the  following,  taken  from  the  Modern 
Horse-Doctor,  by  Dr.  Dadd  : 

"  Warrantees,  by  which  is  meant  an  idemnity  against 
any  imsoundness,  or  a  pledge  given — commonly  in  wri- 
ting— by  the  vender  to  the  purchaser,  that  the  horse  i-s 
sound  and  quiet,  and  possesses  such  and  such  qualifica- 
tions. Without  such  idemnification  or  pledge,  the  law 
says.  Caveat  emptor — let  the  purchaser  take  the  conse- 
quences ;  the  rule  at  law  being,  that  every  body  w^ho 
purchases  a  horse  takes  him  at  his  own  judgment,  and  has 
no  remedy  against  the  seller,  supposing  the  horse  to  turn 
out,  upon  a  future  trial,  or  a  more  considerate  inspection 
after  the  purchase,  to  be  worth  less  than  the  sum  given ; 
unless  lie  (the  purchaser,)  can  prove  he  was  induced  to 
purchase  by  ror  rosentations  false  within  the  knowledge 
of  the  seller ;  lo  tiisten  a  fraud  of  which  nature  upon  an 
experienced  dealer  in  horses  is,  however,  a  difificult  mat- 
ter. Warrantees  are  of  different  kinds — expressed  or  im- 
plied^ general  or  special.  An  express  warranty  speaks  for 
itself.  And  as  for  an  implied  warranty,  such  a  thing  is 
hardly  known,  or  at  least,  rarely  taken  advantage  of  in 
horse  dealing^  the  price  paid,  however  high,  not  being 
legally  held  to  be  any  guaranty  of  the  soundness  of  the 
animal ;  and  any  thing  that  might  transpire  between  sel- 
ler and  buyer,  implying  warranty,  being  worth  nothing 


108  The  Horse  Farriek. 

, without  proofs  which,  heing  procured,  would  render  the 
transaction,  in  law,  tantamount  to  an  express  warranty. 
A  general  warranty  extends  to  all  defects  and  faults 
known  and  unknown  to  the  seller ;  but  a  special  warran- 
ty is  confined  in  its  operation  to  the  parts  or  particulars 
sjDecifically  pointed  out.  A  horse  may  be  warranted  of 
such  an  age  ;  or,  having  some  defect  visible  upon  his 
limbs,  such  as  a  spavin,  or  a  curb,  or  a  fired  leg,  of  which 
he  does  not  go  lame  at  the  time,  that  defect  may  be  spe- 
cified, and  the  horse  warranted  not  (within  any  reasona- 
ble or  prescribed  period)  to  become  lame  in  consequence 
of  it.  A  general  warranty,  however,  affords  no  protec- 
tion against  such  defects  as  are  '  plain  and  obvious'  to 
every  body,  and,  consequently,  to  the  purchaser;  no 
more  than  a  special  warranty  does  against  any  which  are 
not  included  or  named  in  the  specification.  '  But  if,  on 
the  sale  of  a  horse,  the  seller  agree  to  deliver  it  sound 
and  free  from  blemish  at  the  expiration  of  a  specified 
'period^  the  warranty  is  broken  by  a  fault  in  the  horse 
when  delivered,  although  such  defect  was  obvious  at  the 
time  of  sale ;  and  as  some  splints  cause  lameness  and 
others  do  not,  a  splint  is  not  one  of  those  plain  defects 
against  which  a  warranty  will  not  idemnify ;  and  when  a 
seller  warrants  a  horse  soimd  at  the  time  of  sale,  and  the 
horse  afterwards  becomes  lame  from  the  effects  of  a  spHnt, 
visible  when  the  horse  was  bought,  it  is  certain  that  war- 
ranty is  broken.'  This  rule  will  apply  to  spavin,  or  to 
curb,  or  to  windgall,  or,  in  fact,  to  any  other  defect  '  visi- 
ble at  the  time  of  sale.'  For  all  warrantees  can  only  un- 
dertake for  the  animal's  qualifications  at  the  time  of  sale  ; 
none  can  extend  to  any  subsequent  period  unless  there 
be  a  special  clause  *  to  deliver  the  horse  free  from  blemish,' 
and  that  deUvery  be  by  mutual  agreement  delayed. 

"The  form  in  which  a  receipt  mcluding  warranty  is 
generally  written : — 

"'Received,  the  1st  of  January,  1858,  of  J.  P.,  the 
sum  of  two  hundred  dollars  for  a  bay  mare,  warranted 
sound  and  quiet  to  ride  and  drive.' 

"  Or, '  Warranted  free  fi'om  vice  and  blemish,  except — ,' 
"  Or,  '  Warranted  in  every  respect,  except .'    * 


"W  ARRANTEES.  109 

"  Or,  '  Warranted  to  have  been  constantly  driven  both 
in  single  and  double  harness,  to  have  carried  a  lady,  to 
have  been  regularly  hunted,  to  be  a  good  hunter  or  hack- 
ney, &c.,  &c.' 

"  Following  the  word  '  except'  there  being  opportunity 
afforded  the  (honest)  vender  of  stating  what  he  may 
know  invalidating  the  warranty,  and  thereby  saving  his 
reputation  as  well  as  screening  himself  from  the  proba- 
bility of  litigation  afterwards. 

'"With  respect  to  what  (oral)  declarations  of  the  seller 
will  amount  to  a  warranty," the  primary  rule  for  the  inter- 
pretation of  contracts  in  general  is  applicable.  It  depends 
upon  the  intention  of  the  parties.  A  simple  affirmation 
of  the  goodness  of  an  article  is  a  warranty,  provided  it 
(a  warranty)  appear  to  have  teen  intended ;  w^hereas  the 
sublimest  epithets  that  a  seller  ever  employed  to  recom- 
mend his  goods  to  a  credulous  buyer  will  be  regarded  as 
the  idle  phraseology  of  the  market,  unless  an  intendedj  to 
warranty  actually  appear.'  In  line,  '  it  is  from  the  intenr 
tion  of  the  parties,  as  collected  from  the  whole  transac- 
tion, and  from  the  meaning  they  appear  to  have  attached 
to  particular  expressions,  that  the  existence  or  non-exis- 
tence of  a  warranty  is  to  be  inferred.' 

"  '  Let  us  now  consider  how  the  rights  of  parties  are 
affected  by  the  horse  being  unsound  at  the  time  of  the 
w^arranty.  The  contract  being  thus  broken  on  the  part 
of  the  seller,  \0  is  at  the  buyer's  option  either  to  treat  it 
as  a  nullity,  and  return  the  horse,  or  to  retain  him,  not- 
withstanding, and  brmg  an  action  on  the  warranty.  In 
the  former  case,  the  price  paid  is  the  measure  of  the 
damages  he  will  be  entitled  to  recover  in  an  action ;  m 
the  latter,  the  difference  between  that  price  and  his  real 
value.  If  he  offer  to  rescind  the  contract  and  return  the 
horse,  he  may  also  recover  the  expenses  of  his  keep ;  but 
in  order  to  do  this,  a  positive  tender  is  said  to  be  neces- 
sary. No  notice  of  the  unsoundness  need  be  given  to 
the  vender  to  entitle  the  vendee  to  maintain  the  action ; 
nor  is  it  necessary  to  bring  the  action  immediately  on 
discovering  the  unsoundness.' — '  But  although  such  a  no- 
tice be  not  essential,  yet  it  is  always  advisable  to  give  it, 


110  The  Horse  Farriee. 

as  the  omitting  to  do  so  will  furnish  at  the  trial  strong 
presumption  that  the  horse,  at  the  time  of  sale,  was  free 
from  the  defect  complained  of;  thus  rendering  the  proof 
of  a  breach  of  warranty  more  difficult.  Common  justice 
and  honesty  require  that  the  commodity  should  be  re- 
turned at  the  earliest  period,  and  before  it  has  been  so 
changed  by  lapse  of  time  as  to  make  it  imposvsible  to  as- 
certain, by  proper  tests,  Avhat  were  its  original  proper- 
ties.' " 

SNOW  BELLS  ON   HORSES'  FEET. 

Clean  the  hoofs  and  feet  and  rub  them  well  with  soft 
soap ;  on  a  journey,  to  soap  them  tAvdce  a  day  may  be 
best  in  some  cases,  but  once  a  day,  in  ordinary  time,  will 
be  found  sufficient. 

TO  MANAGE  A  HORSE  WHEN  FALLEN  DOWN. 

If  the  horse  is  in  harness,  it  is  seldom  that  he  can  rise 
until  he  is  freed  from  the  shafts  and  traces.  The  first. 
thing  is  to  secure  the  head,  and  to  keep  it  down,  that  he 
may  not  beat  himself  against  the  ground.  Kext,  the 
parts  of  the  harness  connected  with  the  carriage  must  be 
tmbuckled — ^the  carriage  must  then  be  backed  a  little 
way,  so  that  he  may  have  room  to  rise.  If  necessary^ 
the  traces  must  be  taken  off;  and  after  the  horse  gets  up, 
he  must  be  steadied  a  little,  until  he  collects  himself. 

GETTING  THE    CHEEK    OF   THE  BIT   INTO   THE   MOUTH. 

Harsh  treatment  is  here  completely  out  of  the  question. 
All  that  can  be  done,  is,  by  some  mechanical  contrivance, 
to  render  the  thing  difficult  or  impossible,  and  this  may 
be  managed  by  fastening  a  round  piece  of  leather  on  the 
inside  of  the  cheek  of  the  bit. 

COLTS  CHEWING  HALTERS. 

Take  scab  from  the  wort  on  the  inside  of  the  leg,  rub 
the  halter  thoroughly  with  'hat,  and  they  will  not  be 
found  chewing  their  halters  ver}  soon. 


CHAPTER    y. 


THE  VICES  AND  DISAGREEABLE  OR  DANGEROUS  HABITS 
OF  THE  HORSE* 


The  horse  has  many  excellent  qualities,  but  he  has,  like- 
wise, defects,  and  these  often  amount  to  vices.  Some  are 
attributable  to  natural  disposition,  but  the  majority  are 
attributable  to  bad  education  and  wrong  management. 

BITIXG. 

This  is  either  the  consequence  of  natural  ferocity,  or  a 
habit  acquired  from  the  foolish  and  teasing  play  of  grooms 
and  stable-boys.  Prevention,  however,  is  in  the  power 
of  every  proprietor  of  horses.  While  he  insists  on  gentle 
and  humane  treatment  of  cattle,  he  should  systematically 
forbid  this  horse- play. 

It  is  seldom  that  anything  can  be  done  in  the  way  of 
cure.  Kindness  will  aggravate  the  evil,  and  no  degree 
of  severity  will  correct  it.  "  I  have  seen,"  says  Professor 
Stewart,  "biters  punished  until  they  tremble  in  every 
joint,  and  were  ready  to  drop,  but  have  never  in  any 
case  known  them  cured  by  this  treatment,  or  by  any  other. 

*  "We  would  refer  the  reader  to  the  third  chapter  of  this  book,  as  exceptions  are 
taken  to  some  of  the  statements  in  this  chapter  connected  with  the  vicious  habits 
of  horses. 


112  The  Horse  Farrier. 

The  lash  is  forgotten  in  an  hour,  and  the  horse  is  as  ready 
and  determined  to  repeat  the  offence  as  before.  He  ap- 
pears unable  to  resist  the  temptation,  and  in  its  worst 
form,  biting  is  a  species  of  insanity." 

Constant  and  laborious  work  is  often  beneficial.  Some 
horses  may  be  over-awed  by  being  very  bold.  He  may 
be  warned  by  speaking  to  him.  On  approaching  the 
horse,  hold  a  whip  in  his  view,  ready  to  let  it  fall.  If  you 
can  get  hold  of  his  head,  you  are  safe ;  he  may  then  be 
muzzled,  or  his  head  tied  to  the  manger,  a  long  rope  may 
be  fastened  to  the  halter  and  run  through  a  ring  at  the 
head  of  the  stall,  and  proceed  backward  to  the  heel  post ; 
this  enables  a  man  to  draw  the  head  close  up  to  the  ring, 
and  keep  it  there  till  the  grain  or  water  is  delivered,  and 
till  the  horse  can  be  bridled,  muzzled,  harnessed  or  dressed 
as  the  case  may  be.  He  is,  of  course,  to  be  released  af- 
ter you  leave  the  stall,  but  the  rope  remains  in  place  ready 
for  use. 

If  you  can  obtain  something  that  is  exceedingly  disa- 
greeable to  the  taste  of  a  horse — some  bitter  herb — sat- 
urate a  piece  of  cloth,  and  wind  it  around  a  stick  for  him 
to  bite ;  it  will  often,  in  connection  with  kind  treatment, 
have  a  tendency  to  break  him.  A  single  short  cut  across 
the  mouth  on  the  instant  will  sometimes  do  good. 

KICKING. 

This,  as  a  vice,  is  another  consequence  of  the  culpable 
habit  of  teasing  the  horse.  There  is  no  cure  for  this  vice 
when  it  is  inveterately  established,  and  he  cannot  be  jus- 
tified who  keeps  a  kicking  horse  in  his  stable.  He  is 
never  safe,  or  relied  on  as  being  safe.  It  is  foremost  in 
the  point  of  danger,  and  no  treatment  will  always  con- 
quer.    An  awkward  man  is  always  sure  to  receive  injury 


Kicking.  113 

from  a  confirmed  kicker,  and  a  timid  man  is  never  safe. 
Before  the  habit  is  established,  a  thorn-bush  fastened 
against  the  partition  or  post  will  sometimes  effect  a  cure. 

A  chain  about  20  inches  long,  strapped  in  the  centre  to 
the  horse's  foot,  is  the  most  effectual  remedy  known  to  us. 

Kicking  in  harness  is  a  serious  vice.  Some  horses  by 
the  least  annoyance  about  the  rump  or  quarters,  or  if  the 
reins  get  under  their  tail  they  will  kick  at  a  most  violent 
rate,  endangering  everything  within  their  reach.  This 
may  be  cured  by  looj)ing  up  his  fore-leg,  and  teaching 
him,  by  several  lessons,  to  draw  and  walk  on  three  legs  ; 
m  this  position  he  cannot  kick,  and  in  a  short  time  his  leg 
can  be  taken  down,  and  his  propensity  for  kicking  w^ill  be 
found  to  have  subsided;  if  not,  repeat  until  he  is  entirely 
cured ;  do  not  put  him  in  harness  the  first  time  his  leg  is 
looped  up,  but  first  teach  him  to  walk  on  three  legs, 
without  support  out  of  the  harness.  Or  put  on  a  head- 
stall or  bridle,  with  twisted  TV,  or  twisted  straight  bitts 
in  the  mouth  of  the  horse  to  be  cured ;  then  put  on  a 
common  back-saddle,  with  thill  lugs,  or  any  strap  or  girth 
with  loops  on  either  side  of  the  horse,  is  equally  good  ; 
then  buckle  a  pair  of  long  reins,  open  in  the  middle,  into 
the  bitts,  and  pass  them  through  the  thill  lugs  or  loops ; 
one  to  each  hind  leg,  above  the  fetlock  joint ;  there  make 
each  rein  fast  to  the  leg,  allowing  sufficient  length  of  rein 
for  your  horse  to  walk  or  trot,  as  the  operator  may  think 
proper.  Everything  complete,  you  will  have  the  animal 
commence  the  operation  of  kicking ;  the  first  will  be  a 
smart  kick,  and  the  second  fighter,  and  so  on  till  your 
horse  cannot  be  made  to  kick  any  more. 

Or  the  following :  Take  a  forked  stick,  about  two  feet 
long,  varying  a  Httle  according  to  the  size  of  the  horses, 
tie  the  ends  of  the  fork  firmly  to  each  end  of  the  bridle 


114  The  Hoese  Faekier. 

bit,  and  the  other  end  of  the  stick  to  the  lower  end  of 
the  collar  so  as  to  keep  the  head  up.  A  few  days  work- 
ing in  this  manner  will  commonly  suffice  for  a  cure.  The 
man,  however,  who  must  come  within  reach  of  a  kicker 
should  come  as  close  to  him  as  possible.  The  blow  may 
thus  become  a  push,  and  seldom  is  injurious. 

RUNNING   AWAY. 

The  only  method  which  affords  any  probability  of  success 
is  to  have  him  always  firmly  in  hand ;  and,  if  he  will  run 
away,  and  the  place  will  admit  of  it,  to  give  him  (sparing 
neither  curb,  whip,  nor  spur,)  a  great  deal  more  running 
than  he  likes.  If  you  wish  to  stop  the  horse,  if  on  horse- 
back throw  your  bridle  reins  around  his  neck,  if  possi- 
ble, to  choke  him,  or  choke  him  with  your  arm.  If  in 
a  wagon,  and  running  away  is  feared,  provide  a  strong 
cord  with  a  slipping-noose  placed  around  his  neck,  if  he 
runs,  draw  the  cord  forcibly.    - 

CRIB-BITING. 

The  causes  of  crib-biting  are  various,  it  is  often  the  re- 
sult of  imitation,  idleness,  and  sometimes  by  partial  star- 
vation. The  high  fed  and  spirited  horse  must  be  mis- 
chievous, if  not  usefully  employed.  The  crib-biting  horse 
is  more  subject  to  colic  than  other  horses,  and  to  a  species 
difficult  of  treatment  and  frequently  dangerous.  This  is 
a  bad  habit,  and  very  annoying  to  the  owner  of  a  horse. 
Various  remedies  have  been  tried,  such  as  ironing  the 
manger,  petitions,  etc.  I  know  of  no  certain  cure  but  an 
iron  muzzle,  with  bars  just  wide  enough  apart  to  allow 
the  horse  to  pick  up  his  gram  and  draw  out  his  hay  with 
his  tongue,  but  not  to  get  hold  of  any  thing  with  his 
teeth.  Common  bar  soap  is  a  preventive,  which  is  to  be 
rubbed  on  the  edge  and  outside  of  the  crib,  and  renewed 


Wind-Sucking.  115 

as  often  as  necessary.    If  this  habit  is  not  broken,  it  will 
soon  be  imitated  by  every  horse  in  the  stable. 

WIND-SUCKING. 

This  bears  a  close  analogy  to  crib-biting.  It  arises 
from  the  same  causes ;  the  same  purpose  is  accomplished ; 
and  the  same  results  follow.  The  horse  stands  with  his 
neck  bent ;  his  lips  alternately  a  little  opened  and  then 
closed,  and  a  noise  is  heard  as  if  he  were  sucking.  If 
we  may  judge  from  the  same  comparative  want  of  condi- 
tion and  the  flatulence  which  we  have  described  under 
the  last  head,  either  some  portion  of  wind  enters  the 
stomach,  or  there  is  an  injurious  loss  of  saliva.  This  di- 
minishes the  value  of  the  horse  almost  as  much  as  crib- 
biting  ;  it  is  as  contagious,  and  it  is  as  inveterate.  The 
only  remedies,  and  they  will  seldom  avail,  are  tying  the 
head  up,  except  when  the  horse  is  feeding,  or  putting  on 
a  muzzle  with  sharp  spikes  towards  the  neck,  and  which 
will  prick  hun  whenever  he  attempts  to  rein  his  head  in 
for  the  purpose  of  wind-sucking. —  Yoiiatt. 

CUTTING. 

There  are  some  defects  in  the  natural  form  of  the  horse, 
which  are  the  causes  of  cutting,  and  which  no  contrivance 
will  remedy ;  as  when  the  legs  are  placed  too  near  to  each 
other,  or  when  the  feet  are  turned  inward  or  outward. 
Some  horses  will  cut  only  when  they  are  fatigued  or  lame, 
and  old ;  many  colts  will  cut  before  they  arrive  at  their 
full  strength.  The  inside  of  the  fetlock  is  often  bruised 
by  the  shoe  or  the  hoof  of  the  opposite  foot.  Many  ex- 
pedients used  to  be  tried  to  remove  this ;  the  inside  heel 
has  been  raised  and  lowered,  and  the  outside  raised  and 
lowered;  and  sometimes  one  operation  has  succeeded, 
and  sometimes  the  contrary ;  and  there  was  no  point  so 


116  The  Horse  Farrier. 

involved  in  obscurity,  or  so  destitute  of  principles  to  guide 
the  practitioner.  The  most  successful  remedy,  and  that 
which  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  supersedes  all  others, 
is  a  shoe  of  equal  thickness  from  heel  to  toe,  and  having 
but  one  nail,  and  that  near  the  toe  on  the  inside  of  the 
shoe ;  care  being  taken  that  the  shoe  shall  not  extend  be- 
yond the  edge  of  the  crust,  and  that  the  crust  shall  be 
rasped  a  little  at  the  quarters. 

NOT   LYING   DOWN. 

It  not  uncommonly  happens  that  a  horse  will  seldom 
or  never  lie  down  in  the  stable.  He  sometimes  continues 
in  apparent  good  health,  and  feeds  and  works  well ;  but 
generally  his  legs  swell,  or  he  becomes  fatigued  sooner 
than  another  horse.  They  perhaps  are  afraid  of  being 
caught  by  the  halter,  or  they  have  already  been  cast  in 
the  night,  and  do  not  like  to  try  it  again.  Such  horses 
should  be  let  loose  in  a  stable  at  night,  or  in  a  large  stall 
without  being  tied,  and  furnished  with  a  tempting  bed, 
until  the  habit  of  lying  down  is  acquired. 

TO    PREVENT   ROLLING    IN    THE    STALL. 

This  is  a  very  dangerous  habit,  and  can  be  prevented 
only  by  tying  the  horse  so  tliat  he  can  lie  down,  but  not 
touch  his  head  to  the  floor.  This  is  very  tiresome  to  the 
horse,  and  hence,  if  you  care  enough  for  his  comfort  and 
health,  build  a  narrow  platform,  eighteen  to  twenty-four 
inches  in  width,  slanting  at  an  angle  of  thirty  to  forty 
degrees,  so  that  it  will  form  a  pillow  for  his  head  and 
neck;  then  adjust  a  rope  so  that  as  he  hes  down  his  head 
will  naturally  rest  on  the  platform,  or  pillow.  He  will 
not  roll  unless  he  can  get  his  head  as  low  as  the  floor  of 
the  stable. 


Onerreaching  or  Clinking.  117 

overreaching  or  clinking. 

An  over-reach  is  a  tread  upon  the  heel  of  the  coronet 
of  the  fore  foot  bj  the  shoe  of  the  correspondmg  hind 
foot,  and  is  either  inflicted  by  the  toe,  or  by  the  inner  edge 
of  the  inside  of  the  shoe. 

A  writer  in  the  N.  E.  Farmer,  who  is  a  blacksmith, 
cures  overreaching  horses,  and  incseases  their  trotting 
speed  fifteen  or  twenty  seconds  per  mile,  by  the  follow- 
ing mode  of  shoeing,  which  increases  the  motion  of  the 
forward  feet,  and  retards  the  motion  of  the  hind  ones. 
He  makes  the  toe-caulks  very  low,  standing  a  very  little 
under,  and  the  shoes  set  as  far  backward  as  convenient 
on  the  forward  feet,  with  high  heel-caulks,  so  as  to  let 
them  roll  over  as  soon  as  possible.  On  the  hind  feet, 
the  heel-caulk  is  low  and  the  toe-caulk  high  and  project 
ing  forward.  Horses  shod  thus,  travel  clean,  with  no 
click. 

PAWING. 

Some  hot  and  iritatible  horses  are  restless,  even  in  the 
stable,  and  paw  frequently  and  violently ;  shackles  are 
the  only  remedy,  with  a  chain  sufficiently  long  to  enable 
the  horse  to  shift  his  position,  but  they  must  be  taken  off 
at  night  to  enable  the  horse  to  lie  down. —  Youatt. 

SLIPPING  THE  HALTER. 

This  is  a  trick  at  which  many  horses  are  so  clever,  that 
scarcely  a  night  passes  without  their  getting  loose.  It 
is  a  very  serious  habit,  for  it  enables  the  horse  some- 
times to  gorge  himself  with  food,  to  the  imminent  dan- 
ger of  staggers  ;  or  it  exposes  him,  as  he  wanders  about, 
to  be  kicked  and  injured  by  the  other  horses,  while  his 
restlesness  will  often  keep  the  whole  team  awake.     If 


^^^  The  Horse  Farrier. 

the  web  of  the  halter,  being  first  accurately  fitted  to  his 
reck,  is  suffered  to  slip  only  one  way,  or  a  strap  is  at- 
tached to  the  halter  and  buckled  round  the  neck,  but  not 
sufficiently  tight  to  be  of  serious  inconvenience,  the  pow- 
er of  slipping  the  halter  will  be  taken  away. —  Youatt. 

TRIPPING. 

He  must  be  a  skillful  practitioner  or  a  mere  pretender 
who  promises  to  remedy  this  habit.  If  it  arises  from  a 
heavy  fore-hand,  and  the  fore-legs  being  too  much  under 
the  liorse,  no  one  can  alter  the  natural  frame  of  the  ani- 
mal ;  if  it  proceeds  from  tenderness  of  the  foot,  groggi- 
ness,  or  old  lameness,  these  ailments  are  seldom  cured. 
Also  if  it  is  to  be  traced  to  habitual  carelessness  and  idle- 
ness, no  whipping  will  rouse  the  drone.  A  known  stum- 
bler  should  never  be  ridden,  or  driven  by  any  one  who 
values  his  safety  or  his  life.  A  tight  hand  or  a  strong- 
bearing  rein  are  precautions  that  should  not  be  neglected. 

If  the  stumbler  has  the  foot  kept  as  short,  and  the  toe 
pared  as  close  as  safety  will  permit,  and  the  shoe  is  round- 
ed at  the  toe,  or  has  that  shape  given  to  it  which  it  nat- 
urally acquires  in  a  fortnight,  from  the  peculiar  action  of 
sucli  a  horse,  the  animal  may  not  stumble  quite  so  much ; 
or  if  the  disease  which  produced  the  habit  can  be  allevia- 
ted, some  trifling  good  may  be  done,  but  in  almost  every 
case  a  stumbler  should  be  got  rid  of,  or  put  to  slow  and 
heavy  work —  Youatt, 

HORSES  JUMPING  FENCES. 

Pass  a  small  and  strong  cord  around  his  body,  just  be- 
hind his  shoulders,  and  tie  the  halter  to  this  cord  between 
his  fore-legs  so  as  to  leave  the  distance  about  two  feet 
from  the  cord  to  his  head,  if  then  he  attempt  to  jumn, 
he  is  compelled  to  throw  his  head  forward,  which  draws 
hard  on  the  cord  and  causes  it  to  cut  hito  his  back  and 
he  instantly  desists.  The  cord  should  not  be  more  than 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  in  diameter. 


Pulling  the  Halter. 


119 


TO  BREAK  A  HORSE  FROM  PULLING  AT  THE  HALTER* 

The  accompany- 
ing cut  will  illus- 
trate an  effectual 
metliod  of  prevent- 
ng  and  curing  a 
horse  from  pulling 
at  the  halter.  It 
should  not  be  ap- 
plied in  a  stable 
unless  the  animal 
is  watched,  as  there 
is  danger  that  he 
may  throw  himself 
and  receive  injury- 
Put  &  strong  strap  or  rope  around  the  neck,  and  another 
strap  with  a  ring  in  it  around  the  pastern  of  one  of  the  hind 
feet,  and  attach  a  strong  rope  to  the  ring,  and  pass  it  under 
a  firm  strap  or  cirsingle.  buckled  loosely  around  the  girth, 
just  back  of  the  shoulder.  Continue  the  rope  between  the 
fore  legs  and  through  a  hole  or  ring  in  the  manger,  or  post, 
where  the  horse  will  pull,  and  then  tie  it  to  the  strap  around 
the  neck— then  let  him  puli  -Ho  his  heart's  content."'''  A  few 
such  trials  will  most  likely  subdue  him.  The  harder  he  pulls 
back,  the  harder  his  hind  foot  is  pulled  forward,  and  the  exper- 
imenter will  be  surprised  to  see  how  little  the  horse  can  do — 
he  will  not  be  likely  to  even  get  his  hind  foot  off  the 
ground. 

HOW    TO  TAME   WILD   HORSES- 

The  person  of  whom  I  obtained  this  receipt,  paid 
Perry  Planeher,  the  Arabian  Horse  tamer,  |20  for  it, 
and  has  been  selling  it  through  the  country  for  $1,00. 
We  have  no  faith  in  it.  Take  the  warts  from  the  legs 
dry  and  powder  them,  blow  up  his  nose,  then  take  a 
few  drops  of  the  oil  of  urodium  on  jour  hand,  and  rub 
on  his  nose.      ^ 


CHAPTER    VI 


OPERATIONS,  Eia,  ETC. 


SETONS, 

Setons  are  iisefiil  in  various  cases  in  abscesses,  sncli  as 
occur  in  poll  evil ;  in  deep  fistulous  wounds  they  are  in- 
dispensable. They  promote  discbarge  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  an  inflammation.  They  ai'e  made  of  tow  and 
horse  hair^  braided  together,  or  a  small  cord  or  a  strap 
of  leather  may  be  used ;  they  are  inserted  by  means  of 
an  instrument  resembling  a  large  needle,  either  through 
abscesses,  or  the  base  of  ulcers  with  de&p  sinuses,  or  be- 
tween the  skin  and  the  muscular  or  other  substances  be- 
neath.  They  are  retained  there  by  the  ends  being  tied 
together,  or  by  a  knot  at  each  end.  The  tape  is  movec 
in  the  wound  twice  or  thrice  in  the  day,  and  occasionally 
wetted  with  spirits  of  turpentine,  or  some  acrid  fluid,  in 
order  to  increase  the  inflammation  which  it  produces,  or 
the  discharge  which  is  intended  to  be  established 

In  inflammation  of  the  chest  or  intestines,  a  rowel  is 
preferable  to  a  seton,  where  the  inflammation  has  long 
continued,  but  not  intense.  Rowels  will  be  serviceable 
by  producing  an  irritation  and  discharge.  The  action  of 
rowels  is  slower  than  setons  or  blistering. 

CASTE  ATI  ON. 

Youatt  says'*  For  the  common  agricultural 
horse  the  age  of  four  or  five  months  will  be  the  most 
proper  time,  or,  at  least,  before  he  is  weaned.  Few 
horses  are  lost  when  cut  at  that  age. 


Castration.  121 

"  If  the  horse  is  designed  either  for  the  carriage,  oi 
for  heavy  draught,  the  farmer  should  not  think  of  cas- 
trating him  until  he  is  at  least  a  twelvemonth  old ;  and, 
even  then,  the  colt  should  be  carefully  examined.  If 
he  is  thin  and  spare  about  the  neck  and  shoulders,  and 
low  in  the  withers,  he  "wdU  materially  improve  by  re- 
maining uncut  another  six  months;  but  if  his  fore- 
quarters  are  fairly  developed  at  the  age  of  twelve 
months,  the  operation  should  not  be  delayed,  lest  he 
become  heavy  and  gross  before,  and  perhaps  has  be- 
gun too  decidedly  to  have  a  will  of  his  o^\'ii. 

"  No  ^preparation  is  necessary  for  the  sucking  colt, 
but  it  may  be  prudent  to  bleed  and  to  physic  one  of 
more  advanced  age.  In  temperate  weather,  he  will  do 
much  better  running  in  the  field,  than  nursed  in  a  close 
and  hot  stable.  The  moderate  exercise  that  he  ^vill 
take  in  grazing  will  be  preferable  to  perfect  inaction. 

"The  old  method  of  opening  the  scrotum  (testicle  bag) 
on  either  side,  and  cutting  off  the  testicles,  and  pre- 
venting bleeduig  by  a  temporary  compression  of  the 
vessels,  while  they  are  seared  with  a  hot  iron,  must 
not,  perhaps,  be  abandoned  ; 

"  Another  method  of  castration  is  by  Torsion.  An 
incision  is  made  into  the  scrotum,  and  the  vas  diferens 
is  exposed  and  divided.  The  artery  is  then  seized  by 
a  pair  of  forceps,  contrived  for  the  pui-pose,  and  twisted 
six  or  seven  times  round.  It  retracts  without  untwist- 
ing the  v/oils,  and  bleeding  ceases.  The  most  painful 
part  of  the  operation — the  operation  of  the  firing-iron 
or  the  clams — is  avoided,  and  the  wound  readily  heals." 


122  The  Horse  Faeriee.  ; 

bleeding. 

This  operation  is  performed  with  a  fleam  or  a  lancet. 
The  first  is  the  common  instrument,  except  in  skillful 
hands.  The  lancet,  however,  has  a  more  surgical  appear- 
ance, and  Will  be  adopted  by  the  veterinary  practitioner. 
A  bloodstick  is  used  to  strike  the  fleam  into  the  vein. 
This  is  sometimes  done  with  too  great  violence,  and  the 
opposite  side  of  the  coat  of  the  vein  is  wounded.  Bad 
cases  of  inflammation  have  resulted  from  this.  If  the 
fist  is  doubled,  and  the  fleam  is  sharp  and  is  struck  with 
sufficient  force  with  the  lower  part  of  the  hand,  the  blood- 
stick  may  be  dispensed  with. 

For  general  bleeding  the  jugular  vein  is  selected.  The 
horse  is  blindfolded  on  the  side  on  which  he  is  to  be  bled, 
or  his  head  turned  well  away.  The  hair  is  smoothed 
along  the  course  of  the  vein  with  the  moistened  finger ; 
then,  with  the  third  and  little  finger  of  the  left  hand, 
which  holds  the  fleam,  pressm-e  is  made  on  the  vem  suf- 
ficient to  bring  it  fairly  into  view,  but  not  to  swell  it  too 
much,  for  then  presenting  a  rounded  surface,  it  would 
be  apt  to  roll  or  slip  under  the  blow.  The  point  to  be 
selected  is  about  two  inches  below  the  union  of  the  two 
portions  of  the  jugular  at  the  angle  of  the  jaw.  The 
fleam  is  to  be  placed  in  a  direct  line  with  the  course  of 
the  vein,  and  over  the  precise  centre  of  the  vein,  as  close 
to  it  as  possible,  but  its  point  not  absolutely  touchmg 
the  vein.  A  sharp  rap  with  the  hand  on  that  part  of  the 
back  of  the  fleam  immediately  over  the  blade,  will  cut 
through  the  vein,  and  the  blood  will  flow.  A  fleam  with 
a  large  blade  should  always  be  preferred.  A  quantity  of 
blood  drawn  speedily  will  also  have  far  more  eflect  on 
the  system  than  double  the  weight  slowly  taken,  while 


Bleeding.  123 

the  wound  will  heal  just  as  readily  as  if  made  by  a  smaller 
instrument.  A  slight  pressure,  if  the  incision  has  been 
large  enough  and  straight,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  vein, 
will  cause  the  blood  to  flow  sufficiently  fast ;  or,  the  fin- 
ger being  introduced  into  the  mouth  between  the  tushes 
and  the  grinders,  and  gently  moved  about,  will  keep  the 
mouth  in  motion,  and  hasten  the  rapidity  of  the  stream 
by  the  action  and  pressure  of  the  neighboring  muscles. 

When  sufficient  blood  has  been  taken,  the  edges  of  the 
wound  should  be  brought  closely  and  exactly  together, 
and,  kept  together  by  a  small  sharp  pin  being  passed 
through  them.  Round  this  a  little  tow  should  be  wrap- 
ped, so  as  to  cover  the  whole  of  the  incision ;  and  the  head 
of  the  horse  should  be  tied  up  for  several  hours  to  pre- 
vent his  rubbing  the  part  against  the  manger.  In  bring- 
ing the  edges  of  the  wound  together,  and  mtroducing 
the  pin,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  draw  the  skm  too  much 
from  the  neck,  otherwise  blood  will  insinuate  itself  between 
it  and  the  muscles  beneath,  and  cause  an  unsightly  and 
sometimes  troublesome  swelling. 

The  blood  should  be  received  into  a  vessel,  the  dimen- 
sions of  which  are  exactly  known,  so  that  the  operator 
may  be  able  to  calculate  at  every  period  of  the  bleeding 
the  quantity  that  is  subtracted.  Care  likewise  should  be 
taken  that  the  blood  flows  in  a  regular  stream  into  the 
centre  of  the  vessel,  for  if  it  is  sufiered  to  trickle  down 
the  sides,  it  will  not  afterwards  undergo  those  changes 
by  which  we  partially  judge  of  the  extent  of  inflamma- 
tion. The  pulse,  however,  and  the  symptoms  of  the 
case  collectively,  will  form  a  better  criterion  than  any 
change  in  the  blood.  Twenty-four  hours  after  the  oper- 
ation, the  edges  of  the  wound  will  have  united,  and  the 


124  The  Horse  Faeeier. 

pin  should  be  withdrawn.  When  the  bleeding  is  to  be 
repeated,  if  more  than  three  or  four  hours  have  elapsed, 
it  will  be  better  to  make  a  fresh  incision  rather  than  to 
open  the  old  wound. 

In  local  inflammation,  blood  may  be  taken  from  any  of 
the  superficial  veins.  In  supposed  afi'ection  of  the  shoul- 
der, or  of  the  fore-leg  or  foot,  the  plate  vein,  which  comes 
from  the  inside  of  the  arm,  and  runs  upwards  directly  in 
front  of  it  towards  the  jugular,  may  be  opened.  In  af- 
fections of  the  hind  extremity,  blood  is  sometimes  ex- 
tracted from  the  saphoena^  or  thigh-vein,  w^hich  runs 
across  the  inside  of  the  thigh.  In  foot  cases  it  may  be 
taken  from  the  coronet,  or,  much  more  safely,  from  the 
toe ;  not  by  cutting  out  a  piece  of  the  sole  at  the  toe  of 
the  frog,  which  somtimes  causes  a  wound  difficult  to  heal, 
and  followed  by  festering,  and  even  by  canker ;  but  cut- 
ting down  with  a  fine  drawing-knife,  called  a  searcher,  at 
the  union  between  the  crust  and  the  sole  at  the  very  toe 
until  the  blood  flows,  and,  if  necessary,  encouraging  its 
discharge  by  dipping  the  foot  in  warm  water.  The  mesh- 
work  of  both  arteries  and  veins  will  be  here  divided,  and 
blood  is  generally  obtained  in  any  quantity  that  may  be 
needed.  The  bleeding  may  be  stopped  with  the  greatest 
ease,  by  placing  a  bit  of  tow  in  the  little  groove  that  has 
been  cut,  and  tacking  the  shoe  over  it.* —  Yoiiatt. 


*  A  great  improvement  has  lately  been  introduced  in  the  method  of  arresting 
arterial  hemorrhage.  The  operation  is  vfry  simple,  and,  with  common  care 
successful.  The  instrument  is  a  pair  of  artery  forceps,  with  rather  sharper  teeth, 
than  the  common  forceps,  and  the  blades  held  close  by  a  slide.  The  vessel  is  laid 
bare,  detached  from  the  cellular  substance  around  It,  and  the  artery  then  grasp- 
ed by  the  forci-ps,  the  instrument  deviating  a  very  little  from  the  line  of  the  artery. 
The  vessel  Is  now  divided  close  to  the  forceps,  and  behind  them,  and  the  forceps  are 
twisted  four  or  five  times  round.  The  forceps  are  then  loosened,  and,  generally 
speaking,  not  more  than  a  drop  or  two  of  blood  will  have  been  lost.    This  method 


TiiK  Pulse.  125 

THB   PULSE. 

The  pulse  is  a  very  useful  assistant  to  tlie  veterinary 
surgeon,  whose  patients  cannot  describe  either  the  seat 
or  degree  of  ailment  or  pain.  In  a  state  of  health,  the 
heart  beat^s  in  a  horse  about  thirty-six  times  a  minute. 
This  is  said  to  be  the  standard  pulse — the  pulse  of  health. 
Where  it  beats  naturally,  there  can  be  little  materially 
wrong.  The  most  convenient  place  to  feel  the  pulse,  is 
at  the  lower  jaw,  a  little  behind  the  spot  where  the  sub- 
maxillary artery  and  vein,  and  the  parotid  duct,  come 
from  under  the  jaw.  There  the  number  of  pulsations 
will  be  easily  counted,  and  the  character  of  the  pulse,  a 
matter  of  fully  equal  importance,  will  be  clearly  ascer- 
tained. 

When  the  pulse  reaches  fifty  or  fifty-five,  some  degree 
of  fever  may  be  apprehended,  and  proper  precaution 
should  be  taken.  Seventy  or  seventy-five  will  indicate  a 
dangerous  state,  and  put  the  owner  and  the  surgeon 
a  little  on  the  alert.  Few  horses  long  survive  a  pulse  of 
one  himdred,  for,  by  this  excessive  action  the  energies  of 
nature  are  speedily  worn  out. 

Some  things  should  be  taken  into  account  in  forming 
our  conclusion  of  the  pulse.  Exercise,  a  warm  stable, 
and  fear,  will  wonderfuly  increase  the  number  of  pulsa- 
tions. 

If  a  quick  pulse  indicate  irritation  and  fever,  a  slow 

of  arresting  bleeding  has  been  applied  by  several  scientific  and  benevolent  men  with 
almost  constant  success.  It  has  been  readily  and  eflfectually  practised  in  docking., 
and  patients  have  escaped  much  torture,  and  tetanus  lost  many  a  victim.  The  for 
ceps  have  been  introduced,  and  with  much  success,  in  castration,  and  thus  the  prin- 
cipal danger  of  that  operation,  as  well  as  the  most  painful  part  of  it,  is  removed. 
The  colt  will  be  a  fair  subject  for  this  experiment.  On  the  sheep  and  the  calf  it  may 
be  readily  performed,  and  the  operator  will  have  the  pleasing  consciousness  of  res- 
cuing many  a  poor  animal  from  the  unnecessary  infliction  of  torture. — Spooner. 


126  The  Hokse  Fakrier. 

pulse  will  likewise  characterize  diseases  of  an  opposite 
description.  It  accompanies  the  sleepy  stage  of  staggers, 
and  every  malady  connected  with  deficiency  of  nervous 
energy. 

The  heart  may  be  excited  to  more  frequent  and  more 
violent  action.  It  may  contract  more  powerfully  upon 
the  blood,  which  will  be  driven  with  greater  force  through 
the  arteries,  and  the  expansion  of  the  vessels  will  be 
greater  and  more  sudden.  Then  we  have  the  hard  pulse 
— the  sure  indicator  of  considerable  fever,  and  callmg  for 
the  immediate  and  free  use  of  the  lancet. 

Sometimes  the  pulse  may  be  hard  and  jerking,  and  yet 
small.  The  stream  though  forcible  is  not  great.  The 
practitioner  knows  that  this  indicates  a  dangerous  state 
of  disease.  It  is  an  almost  invariable  accompaniment  of 
inflammation  of  the  bowels, 

A  weak  pulse,  when  the  arterial  stream  flows  slowly,  is 
caused  by  the  feeble  action  of  the  heart.  It  is  the  re- 
verse of  fever,  and  expressive  of  debility. 

The  oppressed  pulse  is  when  the  arteries  seem  to  be 
fully  distended  with  blood.  There  is  obstruction  some- 
where, and  the  action  of  the  heart  can  hardly  force  the 
stream  along,  or  communicate  pulsation  to  the  current. 

The  state  of  the  pulse  should  be  carefully  regarded 
during  bleeding.  The  most  experienced  practitioner  can- 
not tell  what  quantity  of  blood  must  be  abstracted  in  or- 
der to  produce  the  desired  effect.  The  change  of  the 
pulse  can  alone  indicate  when  the  object  is  accomplished ; 
therefore,  the  operator  should  have  his  finger  on  the  ar- 
tery during  the  act  of  bleeding,  and,  comparatively  re- 
gardless of  the  quantity,  continue  to  take  blood,  until, 
in  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  the  oppressed  pulse,  becomes 


Clysters.  127 

fuller  and  more  distinct,  or  the  strong  pulse  of  considera- 
ble fever  is  evidently  softer,  or  the  animal  exhibits  symp- 
toms of  faintness. 

It  is  important  to  distinguish  between  the  pulse  of  fe- 
ver and  that  of  inflammation.  We  may  have  a  pulse  of 
the  greatest  rapidity,  as  in  influenza,  and  yet  no  one  part 
of  the  body  much  inflamed.  We  have  known  the  pulse 
of  the  horse  more  than  tripled,  and  the  animal  still  re- 
cover ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  in  cases  of  inflammation,  a 
pulse  of  60  has  betokened  great  danger,  and,  in  some  ca- 
ses, has  been  succeeded  by  death. 

CLYSTERS. 

The  principal  art  of  administering  a  clyster  consists  in 
not  frightening  the  horse.  The  pipe,  well  oiled,  should 
be  very  gently  introduced,  and  the  fluid  not  too  hastily 
thrown  into  the  intestine;  its  heat  being  as  nearly  as 
possible  that  of  the  intestine,  or  about  96*^  of  Fahren- 
heit's thermometer. 

These  are  useful  in  hastening  the  evacuation  of  the 
bowels  when  the  disease  requires  their  speedy  action. 

Two  ounces  of  soft  or  yellow  soap,  dissolved  in  a  gal- 
lon of  warm  water,  wiU  form  a  useful  aperient  clyster. 
For  a  more  active  aperient,  half  a  pound  of  Epsom  salts, 
or  even  of  common  salt,  may  be  dissolved  in  the  same  quan 
ty  of  water.  A  stronger  injection,  but  not  to  be  used  if 
much  purgative  medicine  has  been  previously  given,  ma}r 
be  composed  of  an  ounce  of  Barbadoes  aloes,  dissolved 
in  two  or  three  quarts  of  warm  water.  If  nothing  else 
can  be  procured,  warm  water  may  be  employed. 

In  cases  of  over-purging  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels, 
the  injection  must  be  of  a  soothing  nature.  It  may  con- 
sist of  gruel  alone,  or,  if  the  purging  is  considerable,  and 


128  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

difficult  to  stop,  the  gruel  must  be  thicker,  and  four  oun- 
ces of  prepared  or  powdered  chalk,  well  mixed  with  or 
suspended  in  it,  with  two  scruples  or  a  drachm  of  pow- 
dered opium. 

No  oil  should  enter  into  the  composition  of  a  clyster, 
except  that  linseed  oil  may  be  used  for  the  expulsion  of 
the  ascarides,  or  needle-worms. 

In  epidemic  catarrh,  when  the  horse  sometimes  obsti- 
nately refuses  to  eat  or  to  drink,  his  strengh  may  be  sup- 
ported by  nourishing  clysters ;  but  they  should  consist  of 
thick  gruel  only,  and  not  more  than  a  quart  should  be 
administered  at  once, 

TRACHEOTOMY. 

"This  operation  consists  in  making  an  opening  into 
the  windpipe  to  admit  air  to  the  lungs,  when  the  natural 
passage  is  obstructed  by  foreign  bodies,  or  when  its  cali- 
bre is  lessened  by  tumefaction  occasioned  by  disease.  In 
severe  cases  of  laryngitis,  strangles,  and  their  kindred 
diseases,  when  the  patient  seems  almost  suflbcated,  trach- 
eotomy should  be  immediately  performed.  In  perfoi-m- 
ing  the  operation,  we  select  a  spot  about  six  inches  be- 
low the  throat,  in  front  of  the  neck,  and  over  the  region 
of  the  windpipe  ;  an  incision  is  to  be  made  with  a  com- 
mon penknife,  (in  lieu  of  a  better  instrument,)  to  the  ex- 
tent of  two  or  three  inches,  in  a  downward  direction,  so 
as  to  lay  bare  the  trachea ;  having  exposed  space  suffi- 
cient, a  cii'cular  piece  between  two  rings,  corresponding 
to  the  size  of  the  tube,  is  to  be  cut  out,  and  a  short  tube 
inserted,  which  can  be  confined  m  position  by  means  of 
tape  passed  around  the  neck.  When  the  obstruction  is 
removed,  or  the  fances  restored  to  their  natural  state, 
remove  the  tube,  bring  the  edges  of  the  integuments  to- 
gether, and  sew  them  up." — Br.  Dacld* 


Physicing.  129 

physicing. 

This  is  often  necessary— but  it  has  injured  the  consti- 
tution and  destroyed  thousands  of  animals,  when  unneces- 
sarily or  improperly  resorted  to.  When  the  horse  comes 
from  grass  to  dry  feed,  or  from  the  open  air  to  the  heat- 
ed stable,  and  is  becommg  too  fat,  or  has  surfeit,  or  grease, 
or  mange,  or  is  out  of  condition  from  inactivity  of  the 
digestive  organs,  a  dose  of  physic  is  serviceable ;  but  the 
physicing  of  all  horses,  and  the  too  frequent  method  of 
exercising  the  animal  when  under  the  operation  of  physic, 
cannot  be  too  strongly  condemned. 

A  horse  should  be  carefully  prepared  for  the  action  of 
physic.  Mashes  should  be  given  until  the  dung  becomes 
softened.  Five  drachms  of  aloes,  given  when  the  dung 
has  thus  been  softened,  will  act  much  more  effectually 
and  much  more  safely  than  seven  drachms,  when  the 
lower  intestines  are  obstructed  by  hardened  dung. 

On  the  day  on  which  the  physic  is  given,  the  horse 
should  have  exercise,  but  after  the  physic  begms  to  work, 
he  should  not  be  moved  from  his  stall. 

A  little  hay  may  be  put  mto  the  rack.  As  much  mash 
should  be  given  as  the  horse  will  eat,  and  as  much  water, 
with  the  coldness  of  it  taken  off,  as  he  will  di-ink.  If  he 
refuses  to  drink  warm  water,  it  is  better  that  he  should 
have  it  cold,  than  to  continue  without  taking  any  fluid ; 
but  in  such  case  he  should  not  be  suffered  to  take  more 
than  a  quart  at  a  time,  with  an  interval  of  at  least  an  horn- 
between  each  draught.  The  cleansing  powder  will  be 
found  an  excellent  physic.  The  Barbadoes  aloes,  although 
sometimes  very  dear,  should  alone  be  used.  The  dose, 
with  a  horse  properly  prepared,  will  vary  from  four  to 
seven  drachms. 


130  The  Horse  Farrier. 

DOCKING. 

The  horse's  tail  is  regarded  by  some  as  a  useless  appen- 
dage, and  fashion  requires  it  should  be  shortened.  The 
tail  was  given  to  the  horse  to  fight  the  blood-sucking 
flies.  There  can  be  no  question  of  its  utility  to  the  horse. 
To  dock  it,  deprives  him  of  a  portion  of  his  strength,  and 
he  has  no  protection  from  flies,  which  for  two  months  of 
the  year  are  exceedingly  annoying. 

The  animal  should  be  cast,  the  point  of  amputation  having 
been  selected,  the  operator  feels  for  a  joint  or  articula- 
tion, just  posterior  to  which  he  commences  a  circular  in- 
cision, carrying  the  knife  right  round  the  tail  to  the  point 
of  commencement,  cutting  down  to  the  fascia.  The  in- 
teguments are  then  to  be  forcibly  drawn  upwards,  while 
the  operator  disarticulates  the  joint  by  making  an  incis- 
ion right  through  it.  The  coccygeal  arteries  are  to  be 
secured  by  ligature. 

The  integuments,  instead  of  being .  retracted  >  above 
the  lower  end  of  the  bone,  are  now  below  it,  and  thus 
can  be  made  to  protect  it  from  injuries.  Two  or  three 
stitches  are  now  needed  to  approximate  the  edges  of  the 
wound,  and  the  operation  is  finished,  without  much  loss 
of  blood,  and  with  little  if  any  pain  to  the  subject.  The 
after  treatment  is  very  simple  ;  cold  water,  or  some  tinc- 
ture of  aloes,  will  complete  the  cure.  If  they  should 
not,  owing  to  profuse  suppuration,  use  pyroligneous  acid, 
and  give  a  dose  of  medicine." 

NICKING. 

Nicking  is  another  fashionable  barbarism  that  very  few 
horses  escape.    The  world  of  horsemen  have  decided,  no 


Blaze  or  Star.  131 

tail  no  horse  /  and  if  an  animal  does  not  describe  an  an- 
gle of  forty-five  with  his  tail,  he  is  said  to  carri/  none. 

The  usual  mode  of  operating,  is  to  make  a  sub-cuta- 
neous section  of  the  muscles,  the  use  of  which  is  to  de- 
press the  tail.  The  knife  is  introduced  as  near  to  the  an- 
us as  possible  on  one  side  of  the  tail,  between  the  bone 
and  muscle ;  then,  with  a  sort  of  sawing  motion — the 
back  of  the  knife  being  towards  the  bones — the  muscle 
is  divided,  which  may  be  known  by  the  edge  of  the  knife 
coming  in  contact  with  the  integuments.  This  is  repeat- 
ed on  the  other  side,  and  the  operation  is  finished.  The 
horse  is  generally  fettered  by  a  rope  from  the  neck,  se- 
cured to  each  hind  leg ;  he  has  also  a  twitch  on  the  nose. 
It  not  unfrequently  happens  that  horses  lose  an  enor- 
mous quantity  of  blood  after  the  operation  ;  but  that  re- 
sults from  want  of  anatomical  knowledge.  The  coccy- 
geal arteries  are  severed,  which  the  surgeon  knows  how 
to  avoid.  Amateur  operators  often  find  that  the  subject 
of  their  experiment  is  seized  with  locked-jaw ;  and  in 
other  cases  the  tail  curves  laterally  towards  the  body. 
In  the  former,  some  unnecessary  mangling  has  been  per- 
formed, and  in  the  latter  case,  one  of  the  curvatores  coc- 
cygis  has  been  partly  or  wholly  severed,  which  allows  the 
associate  muscle  on  the  other  side  to  draw  the  tail  that 
way.    Hence  the  necessity  for  skillful  operators. 

BI^ZE   OR   STAR. 

When  we  have  a  pair  of  horses  that  match  well  in  every 
respect,  except  that  one  has  a  blaze  or  star  in  the  face,  it 
becomes  very  interesting  and  important  to  know  how  to 
make  their  faces  match. 

Take  a  piece  of  leather  the  size  you  want  the  blaze 
or  star :  spread  it  with  warm  pith  and  apply  it  to  the 


132  The  Horse  Faeriee. 

horse's  face :  let  it  remain  two  or  three  days,  by  which 
time  it  will  bring  off  the  hair  clean,  and  make  the  part  a 
little  tender ;  then  take  of  elixir  vitriol  a  small  quantity ; 
then  anoint  the  part  two  or  three  times ;  or,  of  a  very 
common  weed  called  smart  weed  a  small  handful,  bruise  it 
and  add  to  it  about  a  gill  of  water,  use  it  as  a  wash  until 
the  face  gets  well,  when  the  hair  will  grow  out  entirely 
white. 

TO  SPOT  A  WHITE  HORSE  WITH  BLACK  SPOTS. 

Take  litharage,  three  ounces  ;  quick  lime,  six  ounces  ; 
beat  it  fine  and  mix  it  together ;  j)ut  it  into  a  pan  and 
pour  a  sharp  ley  over  it ;  then  boil  it  and  you  will  have 
a  fat  substance  swim  on  top,  with  which  anomt  the  horse 
in  such  places  as  you  design  to  have  black,  and  it  will 
turn  to  the  color  immediately. 

DESCRIPTION   OF    A   SKELETON    OF   A   HORSE. 
A  The  Head. 

a    The  posterior  maxillary  or  under  jaw. 

h  The  superior  maxillary  or  upper  jaw.  A  little  lower  down  than  the  letter  is  a 
foramen,  through  which  pass  the  nerves  and  blood-vessels  which  chiefly  sup- 
ply the  lower  part  of  the  face. 

c    The  orbit,  or  cavity  containing  the  eye. 

d    The  nasal  bones,  or  bones  of  the  nose. 

e    The  suture  dividing  the  parietal  bones  below  from  the  occipital  bones  above. 

/    The  inferior  maxillary  bone,  containing  the  upper  incisior  teeth. 

B    The  Seven  Cervical  Vertebra?,  or  bones  of  the  neck. 

C    The  Eighteen  Dorsal  Vertebrae,  or  bones  of  the  back. 

D    The  Six  Liimbar  Vertebrie,  or  bones  of  the  loins. 

E    The  Five  Sacral  Vertebrase,  or  bones  of  the  haunch. 

F    The  Caudal  Vertebrte,  or  bones  of  the  tail,  generally  about  fifteen. 

G    The  Scapula,  or  Shoulder-Blade. 

H    The  Sternum,  or  fore  part  of  the  chest. 

I  The  Costse,  or  ribs,  seven  or  eight  articulating  with  the  sternum,  and  called  the 
trxie  ribs,  and  ten  or  eleven  united  together  by  cartilage,  called  the/alse  ribs. 

J      The  Humerus,  or  upper  bone  of  the  arm. 

K    The  Radius,  or  upper  bone  of  the  arm. 

L     The  Ulna,  or  elbow.    The  point  of  the  elbow  is  called  the  Olecranon. 

M.    The  Carpus,  or  knee,  consisting  of  seven  bones. 

N  The  Metacarpal  bones.  The  larger  metacarpal,  or  cannon,  or  shank  in  front,  and 
the  smaller  metacarpal,  or  splint  bone  beliind. 


Skeleton. 


133 


g  The  fore  pastern  and  foot,  consisting  of  the  Os  Snffraginis,  or  the  upper  and 
largerpastern  bone,  with  the  sesamoid  bones  behind,  articulating  with  the 
cannon  and  greater  pastern;  the  Os  Coronse,  or  lesser  pastern;  the  Os  Pedis, 
or  coffin  bone ;  and  the  Os  Naviculare,  or  Navicular,  or  shuttle-bone,  not  seen, 
and  articulating  with  the  smaller  pastern  and  coffin  bones. 

h     The  corresponding  bones  of  the  hind  feet. 

O    The  Haunch,  consisting  of  three  portions,  the  Ilium,  the  Ischium,  and  the  Pubis. 

P    The  Femur,  or  Thigh. 

Q     The  Stifle-joint  with  the  Patella. 

E    The  Tibia,  or  proper  leg  bone — behind  is  a  small  bone  called  the  fibula. 

8  The  Tarsus,  or  Hock,  composed  of  six  bones.  The  prominent  part  is  the  Oa 
Calcis,  or  point  of  the  hock. 

T    The  Metatarsals  of  the  hind  ^eg. 


CHAPTER   VII 


DISEASES   OF   THE   BBAIN,   RESPIRATOBY  0B6ANS  AND 
AIB  PASSAGES. 


STAGGEES   AND   APOPLEXY. 

A  want  of  balance  in  the  circulation  of  the  blood, 
an  unnatural  quantity  going  to  the  brain,  so  overcomes 
its  energies  that  the  diseases  mentioned  at  the  head  of 
this  chapter  follow.  They  differ  only  in  degree,  and  may 
arise  from  different  conditions.  Where  the  animal  is  vig- 
orous, well  fed,  and  full  of  fluids,  active  congestion  will 
be  present,  but  when  poorly  fed,  and  reduced  in  flesh;  a 
loss  of  energy  of  the  brain  may  be  followed  by  passive 
congestion. 

Violent  exercise,  such  as  heavy  loads  and  hard  drives, 
tight  collars,  too  tight  curb  reins,  any  cause  that  forces 
too  much  blood  to  the  head  or  prevents  its  return  by  the 
viens,  may  be  causes  of  this  disease,  also  after  long  fasting; 
loo  much  food  unnaturally  distending  the  stomach,  sym- 
pathetically affecting  the  brain,  will  produce  it. 

STAGGERS. 

Megrims  is  the  mildest  of  these  affections. 

Symptoms. — When  the  horse  is  drawn  quickly,  he  will 
stop  suddenly,  shake  the  head  and  show   symptoms  of 


Apoplexy.  135 

giddiness.  This  may  soon  pass  over  and  he  may  go  on  as 
if*  nothing  had  occurred.  If  more  serious,  he  may  fall  to 
the  ground  or  suddenly  turn  several  times  around  first; 
he  may  lie  quiet,  or  struggle  violently.  If  it  be  a  horse 
of  full  habit,  well  fed,  three  or  four  quarts  of  blood  better 
be  drawn  at  once. 

Treatment — Cease  using  him  for  a  time,  give  mild 
physic,  such  as  physic  ball,  powdered  aloes,  6  drachms,  a 
little  honey  to  make  the  powder  tenacious  enough  to  ad- 
minister, physic  or  drench  pulverized  aloes,  6  drachms, 
syrup  of  bucthorn,  1  omice,  tincture  gmger,  1  ounce,  or  cro- 
ton  oil  from  20  to  30  drops.  Give  an  occasional  laxitive 
ball,  powdered  aloes,  3  drachms,  powdered  sulphur,  1  do., 
powdered   mandrake  2  do. 

To  be  formed  into  a  bolus  with  honey  or  mucilage. 
Stop  hearty  and  dry  feed,  and  let  mashes  and  green  feed 
be  substituted.  If  not  cured  at  first,  the  animal  will  be 
useless,  as  the  diseased  action  will  become  fixed.  Severe 
cold  Aveather  in  winter,  by  determining  the  blood  to  the 
brain,  jjredisjiO-ses  to  this  disease. 

APOPLEXY. 

Apoplexy  is  a  serious  form  of  the  diseases  we  have 
mentioned. 

The  Symptoms  which  mark  its  approach  are  loss  of 
appetite,  dullness,  stupidity,  a  somewhat  staggering  gait, 
he  stands  with  his  head  down,  or  rests  it  on  his  manger 
and  seems  balancing  and  ready  as  often  he  does  to  sud- 
denly fall,  he  is  sleepy,  eye  dull,  he  chews  his  lock  of 
hay  for  a  moment  and  relapses  iiito  a  stupor;  as  the  dis- 
ease advances  his  breathing  becomes  slow,  loud  and 
labored,  the  pulse  is  slow,  the  veins  in  the  neck  full,  the 
mouth  cold,  and  death  closes  the  scene. 

Post  mortem  examination  of  the  brain  reveals  a  highly 
congested  condition  of  the  blood  vessels  of  the  brain. 

The  Treatment. — Bleed  very  copiously,  if  the 
horse  be  strong  and  vigorous,  followed  by  active  purging, 
with  such  articles  as  we  have  indicated  in  megrims  or 
staggers,  together  with  rest   and  light  food.     If  the  ani- 


136  The  Hokse  Farriek. 

mal  be  naturally  feeble,  if  bled  it  had  better  be  sparingly 
and  be  content  with  physic  and  laxatives.  One  grain  of 
strychnine,  3  times  a  day,  might  give  tone  to  the  nervous 
system  combined  with  12  grains  of  flowers  of  zinc.  The 
animal  probably  will  never  be  fit  for  hard  service. 

PHRENTIS  OR   INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BRAIN. 

By  Phrentis  we  imderstand  inflammation  of  the  sub- 
stance of  the  brain  and  its  investing  membranes. 

Symptoms. — Hanging  of  the  head,  dullness,  watery 
eyes,  and  sleepiness  ;  he  is  letharic,  droops  his  head ;  if 
aroused,  he  stares  around  and  then  slumbers  again.  This 
state  does  not  ordinarily  last  but  a  few  hours,  or  at  most 
a  few  days.  A  new  train  of  symptoms  manifest  themselves. 
He  is  wide  awake,  to  sound  his  ears  are  up  and  his  eyes 
glare,  he  is  restless,  paws  and  moves  about,  whinners, 
dashes,  plunges,  bites  and  kicks;  thus  he  continues  until 
water  compresses  the  brain  or  its  substance  suffers  lesion, 
when  exhaustion,  stupor  and  sleep,  show  a  tendency  to  a 
fatal  issue. 

Treatment. — Bleed  freely,  purge  freely.  There  is  no 
disease  that  will  bear  copious  purging  with  so  much 
benefit  as  the  one  of  which  we  are  treating, 

HYDROPHOBIA  OR   MADNESS. 

This  alarming  and  fatal  disease  results  from  the  bite 
of  a  rabid  animal,  as  the  dog,  cat,  or  wolf. 

Symptoms. — ^The  horse  stops,  looks  round,  staggers 
and  falls.  He  rises  soon  again,  staggers  and  falls,  soon 
he  becomes  furious,  stamping  and  biting,  and  endeav- 
oring to  demohsh  everything  around  him.  Like  the 
human  being,  the  horse  has  a  dread  of  water — the  dread 
seems  to  arise  from  the  severe  sj)asms  of  the  muscles 
called  into  action  in  the  act  of  diglutition,  and  not  from 
any  dread  of  the  water  by  itself  considered.  When  fully 
established,  this  disease  is  considered  incurable. 

When  it  is  known  that  the  animal  has  been  bitten, 
cauterize  the  wound  freely  and  deeply  with  nitrate  of 
silver,  wash  it  out  with  chloride  of  soda. 


Influenza  or  Horse-Ail.  137 

The  disease  may  remain  latent  for  weeks  or  months 
before  showing  itself,  hence  the  necessity  of  closely 
watching  the  animal,  if  bitten  or  supposed  to  be  bitten, 
for  some  time. 

INELUENZA   OR   HORSE-AIL. 

This  disease  is  most  prevalent  in  cold,  ungenial  weath- 
er, and  is  most  frequent  in  the  spring  —  a  cold,  wet 
spring  —  and  especially  among  young  horses,  and  those 
in  high  condition,  or  made  up  for  sale,  or  that  have  been 
kept  in  hot  stables;  more  generally  in  cities  where  a 
large  number  are  kept.  If  a  horse  can  pass  through  this 
disease  and  come  out  right  side  up,  he  can  be  safely 
recommended  as  one  having  been  through  the  mill.  '  It 
is,  beyond  doubt,  contagious  —  sometimes  raging  over 
large  districts,  so  that  scarcely  a  stable  escapes,  and  at 
others,  being  confined  to  a  neighborhood. 

Symptoms. — Of  these  there  is  a  great  variety  at  its 
commencement.  The  first  symptom  is,  debility.  The 
horse  appears  dumpish,  refuses  to  eat,  mouth  hot,  pulse 
quick  ;  in  the  course  of  six  or  twelve  hours,  the  pulse  in- 
creases, appetite  diminishes,  legs  and  eye-hds  swell,  (usu- 
ally increase  to  about  the  third  day.)  This  disease  may 
end  in  distemper,  chronic  cough,  a  bad  discharge  from 
the  nose,  and  inveterate  cases  in  glanders. 

Treatment. — Give  the  animal  the  benefit  of  a  pure  at- 
mosphere. If  the  limbs  are  cold,  give  them  a  good  rub- 
bing. If  the  pulse  is  full  and  strong,  (not  otherwise,) 
bleed  with  care.  In  some  cases,  it  would  be  advisable 
to  bleed  from  the  eye,  or  mouth.  Strict  attention  should 
be  paid  to  the  diet.  No  grain  but  mashes,  gruel  substi- 
tuted for  water;  scalded  shorts,  green  grass,  and  carrots, 
if  they  can  be  procured,  if  not,  hay,  oflered  with  the  hand, 
dipped  m  water  salted.  In  some  cases,  it  is  necessary 
to  force  them  to  eat,  or  give  them  an  injection  of  gruel. 


138  The  Horse  Farrier. 

A  plethoric  horse  should  be  half  starved.  If  the  throat 
is  sore,  rub  it  with  warm  vinegar  and  salt,  or  blister ; 
steam  the  nostrils,  to  encourage  the  discharge  ;  walk  the 
horse  a  little,  for  exercise ;  administer  the  following : 
Oil  of  Croton,  five  drops ;  Nitrate  of  potassa,  4  to  6 
drachms ;  Potassio-tartrate  of  antimony,  1  drachm ;  spir- 
it of  nitric  ether,  4  drachms  to  1  ounce ;  solution  of 
acetate  of  ammonia,  2  to  4  ounces ;  warm  water  suf- 
ficient to  make  a  draught. 

Sometimes  four  drachms  of  bi-tartrate  of  potassa  may 
be  added  to  the  above ;  and,  when  the  head  appeared 
much  afiected,  a  drachm  of  camj^hor.  This  draught  may 
generally  be  administered  once,  but  sometimes  twice  a 
day,  the  croton  oil  being  omitted  after  the  first  dose : 
after  the  first  day,  two  drachms  of  powdered  gentian  may 
be  added  ;  and  after  the  second  or  third  day,  a  ball  may 
be  substituted  for  the  draught,  consisting  of :  nitrate  of 
potassa,  3  drachms ;  potassio-tartrate  of  antimony,  1 
drachm  ;  powdered  gentian  root,  2  drachms  ;  powdered 
pimento  berries,  1  drachm ;  treacle  sufiicient  to  form  a 
ball. 

SPASMS  OF  THE   LARYNX    AXD    LARYNGITIS. 

The  larynx  is  an  u-regular  cartilaginous  tube,  fonningthe 
upper  extremity  of  the  wmd  pipe,  and  is  the  organ 
which  produces  that  pecuHar  sound  called  neighing.  It 
affords  free  passage  in  its  normal  state  for  respiration, 
and  also  attachment  for  numerous  muscles.  Its  internal 
cavities  are  protected  by  the  common  membrane  termed 
mucous^  which  at  times  become  the  seat  of  a  disease 
known  as  laryngitis. 

The  disease  appears  to  be  analogous  to  croup  (in  the 
human  family.)  Spasm  of  the  larynx  may  result  from  a 
mucous  affection,  induced  by  mdigestion. 

Symtoms  of  Spasm  of  the  Larnyx. — Sometimes  the 
disease  manifests  itself  in  a  moment,  as  it  were,  with  a 
most  terrible  severity ;  the   animal  begins  to   gasp   for 


Spasms  of  the  Larynx  and  Laryngitis.       139 

breath ;  the  eyeballs  protrude,  and  the  neck  is  carried 
in  a  line  with  the  back ;  the  flanks  heave  with  most 
excessive  violence,  and  every  time  the  poor  beast  mspii-es 
air,  a  somid  is  emitted,  which  will  vary  in  its  character 
and  intensity  according  to  the  vigor  of  the  spasm.  As 
the  disease  proceeds,  the  general  symptoms  become  more 
yiolent — the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  assumes 
a  purple  color  ;  the  animal  becomes  partially  unconscious ; 
he  rushes  wildly  from  place  to  place,  as  though  seeking 
in  vain  for  aid ;  the  body  becomes  suffused  with  streamy 
perspiration.  Youatt  says,  in  acute  laryngitis  the  blood 
must  be  abstracted,  from  the  jugular  vein,  copiously, 
depending  on  the  degree  of  inflammation,  and  not  for- 
getting that  he  has  to  do  with  inflammation  of  the  mu- 
cous membrane,  and  that  what  he  does  he  must  do 
quickly ;  bleed,  until  the  pulse  flutters  or  the  constitution 
is  evidently  affected. 

Next  must  be  given  the  fever  medicine,  the  digitalis, 
nitre,  and  emetic  tartar,  with  aloes.  Aloes  may  here  be 
safely  given,  because  the  chest  is  not  yet  imDUcated.  To 
this  must  be  added,  and  immediately,  a  blister,  and  a 
sharp  one.  The  surgeon  is  sure  of  the  part,  and  he  can 
bring  his  counter-irritant  almost  into  contact  with  it. 

Tkeativient. — Nauseants,  counter-irritants  And  trach- 
eotomy are  the  principal  agents,  in  view  of  imm:>diate 
reUef.  When  the  patient  is  attacked  suddenly,  and 
shows  all  the  worst  features  of  the  disease,  he  can  oulv 
be  reUeved  by  a  sui-gical  operation  called  tracheotomy. 
The  operation  is  not  considered  a  dangerous  one,  yet  the 
services  of  a  qualified  person  are  indispensable;  as  also 
in  cases  which  result  from  the  presence  of  morbid 
growths  in  the  vicuiity  of  the  larynx,  surgical  skill  must 
be  sought.  Lobelia  is  considered  a  very  good  relaxant ; 
it  is  extoUed  very  highly  by  some  physicians  for  the  cure 
of  asthmatical  complaints,  and  for  relaxing  rigid  parts  ; 
it  has  been  used  for  a  number  of  years  on  all  classes  of  do- 
mestic animals,  and  we  consider  it  a  valuable  anti-spasmodic. 
A  strong  infusion  of  lobeha  can  be  brought  in  contact 
with  the  horse's  nostrils  by  means  of  a  sponge,  and  perhaps 


140  The  Hoese  Faerier. 

prove  as  beneficial  as  ether.  Counter  irritants,  applied 
externally  in  the  region  of  the  throat  and  chest,  are  gen- 
erally recommended;  the  common  hartshorn  liniment, 
essence  of  mustard,  or  a  mixture  composed  of  equal  parts 
of  olive  oil,  tincture  of  capsicum,  and  lobelia,  are  among 
the  most  efficient  remedies  for  this  purpose.  The  rectum 
must  be  kept  empty,  by  stimulating  clysters ;  all  food  to 
be  withheld  until  the  worst  symptoms  are  past,  when 
some  thin  gruel,  sweetened  with  honey,  may  be  allowed, 
cold  or  warm,  as  the  season  permits,  very  good  for  re- 
lieving laryngitis,  applied  by  means  of  sponges  to  the 
throat. 

In  chronic  cases,  when  the  glandular  organs  around 
the  throat  are  swollen,  a  stimulating  liniment  will  be  in- 
dicated, which  should  be  rubbed  in,  night  and  morning, 
the  animal  to  have  a  nutritious  diet,  and  to  be  drenched 
as  follows :  Balsam  of  fir,  1  ounce,  sweet  spirits  of 
nitre,  2  ounces,  syrup  of  garlic,  4  ounces,  mix. 

Dose. — One  sixth  part  to  be  given  every  night  in  a 
pint  of  thin  gruel. 

PNEUMOISriA  OR  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  LTJNGS. 

In  this  disease  ther,e  are  three  well  marked  stages. 

1st.  That  of  congestion. 

2d.  When  inflammation  is  fully  developed. 

3d.  That  of  suppuration  or  formation  of  matter. 

In  the  1st  stage  the  vessels  are  merely  engorged  with 
blood  and  the  air-cells  partly  filled  with  a  sero-mucus 
bloody  effusion. 

In  the  2d  stage  the  disease  in  the  lungs  has  advanced 
and  a  plastic  extravasation  has  taken  place  in  the  air- 
cells,  and  the  tissue  connecting  them  are  filled  with  a 
bloody  concrete  lymph. 

In  the  3d  stage  the  place  of  the  plastic  secretion  has 
been  supplied  by  a  purulent  fluid. 

The  disease  may  afiect  one  lung  or  both,  being  much 
more  grave  in  the  latter  case. 


PNEUHOmA  OR  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  LUNGS.       14:1 

The  causes  of  pneumonia,  are  sudden  transitions  from 
heat  to  cold,  a  change  from  a  warm  stable  to  a  colder  one; 
the  most  frequent  is  leaving  the  horse  to-  stand  in  a  brisk 
wind,  after  hard  driving,  or  being  in  a  free  perspiration. 
This  sudden  check  to  perspiration  causes  the  blood  to 
recede  from  the  surface  and  crowds  it  hurtfully  on  inter- 
nal parts,  producing  bronchitis,  pneumonia  or  pleurisy. 

Symptoms. — It  is  usually  ushered  in  by  a  shivering  fit, 
the  horse  is  cold  all  over,  reaction  after  a  time  takes 
place  and  the  body  becomes  warmer  than  natural,  but 
the  extremities  remain  intensely  cold ;  this  condition 
pecuUarly  marks  the  disease;  it  is  an  early  symptom  com- 
mencing in  its  incii^ient  or  forming  stage.  The  pulse 
at  first  is  often  oppressed  and  obscure,  without  much 
acceleration  in  its  motion.  The  breathing  is  quick ;  he 
feels  the  need  of  pure  aii*,  for  the  air  cells  being  more 
or  less  obstructed,  the  atmospheric  air  is  not  brought  in 
contact  with  the  blood,  to  effect  in  the  latter  that 
change  so  essential  to  life ;  the  animal  refuses  to  lie  down 
because  every  muscle  that  aids  in  respiration  is  called 
into  action,  and  those  of  the  spine  and  shoulders  can 
be  used  more  advantageously  as  he  stands. 

If  when  wearied  out  he  lies  down,  it  is  but  for  a  mo- 
ment. 

It  may  be  regarded  as  a  favorable  symptom  to  find 
in  the  morning  that  the  horse  was  down  during  the 
night. 

It  may  not  be  an  easy  matter  to  distinguish  pneu- 
monia from  pleurisy,  and  in  fact  they  are  often  united. 

Pleurisy  is  a  more  acutely  j^ainful  disease ;  auscultation 
here  would  be  valuable. 

In  pneumonia  healthy  murmm-  is  changed  to  a  crepita- 
ting or  crackling  sound,  and  wherever  heard  will  indicate 
the  extent  of  the  disease. 

As  the  disease  advances  and  lympth  is  poured  out,  the 
lung  becomes  hepatized  or  hard  like  liver,  and  over  such 
points  no  respiratory  murmur  will  be  heard,  for  no  air 
permeates  such  portions.     By  a  careftil  comparison  of  res- 


14:2  The  Hokse  Farriee. 

piration  on  each  side  of  the  horse,  you  may  know  very  sat- 
isfactorily whether  one  or  both  hmgs  are  diseased. 

If  the  disease  still  progresses,  those  inflamed  and  heap- 
atized  portions  sappurate,  an  abscess  forms,  and  matter 
may  be  discharged  by  coughing. 

In  pleurisy,  the  air  cells  are  not  implicated,  and  the  res- 
piratory murmur  will  be  heard  at  first  over  the  whole  of 
the  lungs.  (The  reader  will  bear  in  mind  that  the  thin 
membrane  which  covers  the  lungs  and  lines  the  in- 
side of  the  chest  is  called  the  pleura,  and  that  in- 
flammation of  this  membrane  is  pleurisy.)  A  dry  friction 
sound  will  be  heard  in  the  commencement  of  i^leurisy. 
Plastic  lympth  may  exude  from  the  inflamed  surface,  or 
the  vessels  may  relieve  themselves  by  pouring  out  water 
between  the  lung  and  side,  the  respiratory  murmur  disap- 
pearing in  proportion  as  the  water  accumulates. 

Treatment. — This  may  be  commenced  by  a  good 
bleeding,  but  to  be  of  much  service  it  should  be  done  at 
the  commencement  of  the  disease,  followed  by  emetic 
tartar  and  nitre.  A  drachm  of  the  former  and  three  of  the 
latter  every  eight  hours,  equalize  the  circulation,  by  rub- 
bing the  extremities,  giving  light  laxitive  food,  as  bran 
mashes  ;  throw  warm  blankets  over  the  animal,  hanging 
down  to  the  floor,  and  place  vessels  of  hot  water  in  whicli 
put  hot  stones  or  bricks,  and  sweat  freely,  also  opium  and 
calomel,  one  scruple  of  the  former  and  two  of  the  latter 
twice  a  day.  The  sides  of  the  chest  may  be  thoroughly 
bhstered,  the  irritation  on  the  surface  diverting  the  in- 
flammation from  the  lungs. 

There  is  another  article  very  efiicient  in  this  disease  in 
the  human  subject,  and  I  think  it  must  operate  equally 
favorable  on  animals.  I  refer  to  the  Veratrum  Virid*?. 
The  tincture,  as  prepared  by  Dr.  W.  C.  Norwood,  or  the 
extract,  as  prepared  by  Tilclen  &  Co.,  N.  Y. 

This  medicine  may  confidently  be  relied  on  to  control 
the  actions  of  the  heart  and  arteries,  reducing  the  pulse 
in  the  human  subject  from  120  beats  in  a  minute  to  60 
or  even  40. 

In  giving   this    remedy,   the  pulse  should  be  closely 


Pleurisy.  143 

watched,  and  when  down  to  the  natural  standard,  discon- 
tinued until  it  begins  to  rise  again ;  probably  from  twenty 
to  sixty  drops  every  four  hours,  until  it  produces  slow- 
ness of  pulse,  would  be  an  appropriate  dose ;  should  much 
weakness  follow  an  over  dose,  a  dose  or  two  of  spirits 
would  overcome  the  prostration. 

It  must  be  observed  here  that  cathartic  medicine  in 
this  disease  must  be  used  with  great  caution,  and  a  com- 
mon fault  is  to  do  too  much ;  the  restoring  powers  of  na- 
ture are  ignored,  dose  follows  dose  in  unjustifiable  rapid- 
ity ;  blood  is  shed  with  fearful  profusion,  and  the  suffeiing 
animal  sinks  under  the  combined  attack  of  disease  and 
injudicious  treatment. 

In  regard  to  blood  letting,  as  we  said  at  the  commence- 
ment, one  judicious  abstraction  of  blood  would  be  advi- 
sable ;  its  repetition  would  depend  upon  the  strength  of 
the  pulse  and  appearance  of  the  blood  first  drawn  ;  if  this 
is  free  from  a  sizy  thick  buffy  coat,  its  repetition  is 
uncalled  for,  neither  will  the  opposite  condition  always  war- 
rant it.  Rowels  and  setons  are  too  slow  in  their  opera- 
tion to  meet  the  urgent  symptoms,  and  are  only  beneficial 
when  the  disease  becomes  chronic. 

PLEURISY. 

The  treatment  proper  for  pneumonia,  as  a  general  rule, 
will  be  applicable  to  pleurisy.  Bleeding  is  called  for  more 
urgently  in  the  latter  disease,  and  will  be  better  borne 
than  in  pure  inflammation  of  the  lungs ;  if  water  accumu- 
late in  the  chest,  the  case  is  not  hopeless ;  a  powder,  com- 
posed of  squill,  calomel,  and  nitre,  repeated  three  or  four 
times  a  day,  ^viU  accelerate  the  absorption  of  the  fluid ; 
blisters  also  to  the  chest  will  be  appropriate. 

After  recovery  from  either  of  these  diseases,  the  patient 
should  be  treated  with  care  and  great  tenderness  for  some 
time ;  all  hard  exercises,  fast  drives  and  exposures  to  wet 
or  cold,  should  be  sedulously  guarded  against,  by  giving 
the  parts  diseased    time    to    heal    and    become    sound; 


14:4:  The  Hokse  Farrier. 

chronic    irritations   indicated  by   short    breathing   and 
troublesome  coughs,  will  be  avoided. 

CONSUMPTION. 

This  malady  extends  aUke  to  horses  as  to  human  sub- 
jects. It  is  not  hereditary,  but  the  conformations  which 
lead  to  this  disease  are,  and  thus  far  the  disease. 

If  a  narrow-chested,  flat-sided  horse  is  attacked  by  in- 
flammation of  the  lungs,  or  severe  catarrhal  fever,  ex- 
perience tells  us  that  we  shall  have  more  difficulty  in  sub- 
duing the  disease  in  him,  than  in  one  deeper  in  the  girth 
or  rounder  in  the  chest. 

If  such  animals,  however,  are  used  in  the  country  where 
they  have  the  advantage  of  pure  air,  simple  yet  nutri- 
tious food,  and  judicious  management,  they  may  live  to 
the  average  age  of  horses  generally.  There  are  locations 
that  are  favorable  to  the  development  of  consumption, 
such  as  low,  wet  lands,  where  the  humid  atmosphere  pre- 
vents a  full  and  free  evaporation  of  the  insensible  per- 
spiration ;  such  an  atmosphere  is  no  less  injurious  than 
that  of  a  crowded,  unventilated  stable. 

The  principal  cause  of  this  disease  will  be  found  in  the 
evils  of  domestication.  Numerous  instances  have  been 
known  where  the  horse  and  cattle  that  have  been  subject 
to  these  and  kindred  diseases  have  entirely  recovered  by 
their  removal  from  low,  damp  stables  to  dry,  warm  and 
airy  ones. 

Symptoms. — The  horse  is  sadly  emaciated — he  long 
continues  so — his  coat  stares — his  skin  clings  to  his  ribs 
— his  belly  is  tucked  up,  notwithstanding  that  he  may 
have  plenty  of  mashes,  and  carrots,  and  green  meat,  and 
medicine — his  former  gaiety  and  spirit  do  not  return,  or 
if  he  is  willing  to  work,  he  is  easily  tired,  sweating  on 
the  least  exertion,  and  the  sweat  most  profuse  about  the 
chest  and  sides — his  appetite  is  not  restored,  or,  perhaps, 


Strangles  or  Horse  Distemper.  145 

never  has  been  good,  and  the  slightest  exertion  puts  him 
completely  off  his  feet.  The  flanks  heave  a  httle  more 
laboriously — heaving  is  pamfully  quickened  when  sudden 
exertion  is  required — he  coughs  sorely,  and  discharges 
from  the  nose  a  mucus  tinged  with  blood,  or  a  fluid  de- 
cidedly purulent — the  breath  becomes  offensive — the 
pulse  is  always  above  40,  and  strangely  increased  by  the 
slightest  exertion. 

Treatme^st. — K  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  a  run  of 
grass  may  be  tried — invigorate  the  system  by  good  nu- 
tritious food — gentle  exercise,  pure  air,  and  if  the  weath- 
er be  cold,  warm  clothing,  with  the  addition  of  oat-meal, 
pea-meal,  linseed-meal,  wheat  flour,  mixed  with  a  liberal 
quantity  of  salt — this  will  aid  digestion,  and  abstract  fluids 
from  the  body.  Should  the  excrements  be  voided  with 
difficulty  or  knotty,  an  injection  of  soap  and  water  will 
be  advisable.  Milk  should  be  given  about  one  quart  per 
day.  In  case  of  great  prostration,  milk  should  be  given 
with  care.  The  digestive  apparatus  may  be  involved  in 
the  deterioration  of  the  system,  and  be  unable  to  digest 
the  fatty  constituent,  (butter ;)  hence,  m  the  exhibition 
of  a  daily  allowance  of  milk,  attention  must  be  paid  to 
the  nutritive  function,  or  such  a  simple  article  as  milk 
may  prove  a  barrier  to  affecting  a  cure.  In  such  a  case, 
to  one  pint  of  milk  add  two  ounces  of  lime  water — give 
twice  a  day. 

For  the  medical  treatment  of  this  disease  use  phosphate 
of  lime — powdered  bloodroot — powdered  pleurisy  root — 
powdered  Indian  turnip — powdered  goldenseal,  2  ounces 
of  each — powdered  slippery  elm,  1  pound — mix,  and  di- 
vide the  mass  into  twenty-four  powders ;  one  to  be  given 
in  the  food  every  night. 

STRANGLES  OR  HORSE  DISTEMPER. 

This  disease  is  principally  incident  to  young  horses — 
usually  appearing  between  the  fourth  and  fifth  year,  and 
oftenerinthe  spring  than  at  any  other  time — ^it  occasionally 
attacks  old  animals.  Few  horses  escape  its  attack ;  but, 
the  disease  having  passed  over,  the  animal  is  fi*ee  from  it 


146  The  Horse  Farrier. 

for  the  remainder  of  his  life.  This  disease  is  usually  con- 
sidered contagious,  but  we  are  not  clear  on  this  point,  but 
it  will  be  well  to  separate  the  patient  from  healthy  ani- 
mals. This  we  would  recommend  in  aH  cases  of  catarrhal 
affection. 

SYMPTOifs.— It  is  is  generally  preceded  by  cough  with 
a  discharge  from  the  nostrils  of  a  yellowish  color,  mixed 
with  pus,  generally  without  smell,  the  membrane  of  the 
nose  intensely  red,  a  swelling  under  the  throat  which  in- 
creases, accompanied  by  a  fever — a  disinclination  to  eat 
— a  considerable  thu'st,  but  after  a  gulp  or  two  the  horse 
ceases  to  drink.  In  attempting  to  swallow,  a  convulsive 
cough  comes  on,  which  threatens  to  suffocate  the  animal, 
mouth  hot ;  tongue  coated  with  white  fur.  The  tumor 
under  the  jaw  and  about  the  centre  of  the  channel  soon 
fills  the  whole  space,  and  is  evidently  one  uniform  body, 
and  may  thus  be  distinguished  from  glanders,  or  the  en- 
larg.ed  glands  of  catarrh.  In  a  few  days  it  becomes  more 
prominent  and  soft,  and  evidently  contains  a  fluid.  This 
rapidly  increases  ;  the  tumor  bursts,  and  a  great  quan- 
tity of  pus  is  discharged.  As  soon  as  the  tumor  has  bro- 
ken, the  cough  subsides,  and  the  horse  speedily  mends, . 
although  some  degree  of  weakness  may  hang  about  him 
for  considerable  time. 

Teeatmeist:. — ^As  soon  as  the  tumor  under  the  jaw  is 
decidedly  apparent,  the  part  should  be  actively  blistered. 
It  should  be  washed  off  as  soon  as  it  rises,  and  if  repeated  in 
a  day  or  two,  this  will  abate  the  internal  inflammation 
and  soreness  of  the  throat  aud  promote  the  suppurative 
process ;  (when  the  glands  remain  hard  and  do  not  suppu- 
rate, it  may  lead  to  glanders,  in  which  case  the  use  of 
Iodine  Ointment  as  an  outward  aj^phcationandhydriodate 
of  potash  in  daily  doses  of  ten  to  forty  grains,  combined 
with  tonics  wiU  be  found  useful  as  an  internal  appHcation.) 

As  soon  as  the  swelhng  is  soft  on  its  summit,  and  evi- 
dently coutams  matter,  it  should  be  freely  and  deei)ly 
lanced,  after  Avhich  apply  a  linseed  poultice.  If  the  in- 
cision is  deep  and  large  enough,  no  second  collection  of 


Bbonohitis.  147 

matter  will  be  formed :  and  that  which  is  already  there 
may  be  suffered  to  run  out  slowly,  all  pressui'e  with  the 
fingers  being  avoided.  The  part  should  be  kept  clean. 
The  appetite  will  return  with  the  opening  of  ths  abscess. 
Bran-mashes,  or  fi-esh  cut  grass  should  be  liberally  sup- 
phed,  which  will  not  only  afford  sufficient  nourishment  to 
recruit  the  strength  of  the  animal,  but  keep  the  bowels 
gently  open.  If  the  weakness  is  not  great,  no  farther 
medicine  will  be  wanted,  except  a  dose  of  mild  physic,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  swellings  or  eruptions  which  some- 
times succeed  to  strangles.  In  cases  of  debility,  a  smaU 
quantity  of  tonic  medicine,  as  camomile,  gentian,  or 
ginger  may  be  administered. 

No.  2  Homoepathic  treatment.  Fever  symptoms, 
Aconite,  10  to  15  drops,  once  an  hour,  when  allayed, 
arsenicum,  12  to  15  drops. 

CUTANEOUS  ERUPTION   AND   ITCHIMG. 

Change  of  diet,  will  often  cure  a  simple  case  without 
any  medicin.  If  it  does  not  yield  to  this,  sponge  the  ani- 
mal daily  with  a  weak  ley  of  saleratus  water,  into  which 
throw  a  little  sulpher ;  and  give  a  few  doses  of  sulpher  and 
sassafras,  equal  parts.  Dose,  one  ounce  daily.  The  cov. 
erihg  of  the  body,  which  may  be  needed  in  consequence 
of  sdonging,  should  be  hnen,  instead  of  flannel. 

BEONCHITIS. 

Veterinarians  recognize  this  disease  under  three  as- 
pects, viz : 

1.  Acute,  as  when  the  horse  is  suddenly  attacked  with 
an  irritable  cough  and  sore  throat ;  a  quick,  wiry  pulse  ; 
membranes  of  the  nose  and  mouth  redder  than  usual ; 
accelerated  respiration ;  great  anxiety  of  countenance, 
&c.,  &c. 

2.  Chronic  bronchitis,  which  sets  in  after  the  acute 
has  subsided ;  this  stage  is  marked  by  a  discharge,  of 
watery  and  sometimes  mucous  fluid  from  the  nose ;  the 
act  of  respiration  is  performed  with  a  sort  of  wheezing 
noise,  of  which  they  are  somewhat  relieved  in  the  act 
of  coughing. 


148  The  Horse  Farriee. 

3.  The  third  variety  has  been  named  epidemie  bron- 
chitis. This  variety  is  remarkable  for  the  emission  of 
copious  discharges  from  the  nose,  at  one  time  tui'ning 
yellow,  at  another  green,  and  then  again  white.  In  this 
form  the  disorder  is  exceedingly  apt  to  assume  the 
chronic  type,  and,  after  continumg  for  a  length  of  time, 
to  leave  the  animal  reduced  in  flesh,  and  much  debilitated. 
Heaves  may  be  the  result  of  bronchitis,  which  leaves 
the  upper  air  passages  in  a  contracted  state,  or  else  thick 
ens  their  lining  membrane.  The  natural  termination  of 
this  disease,  if  unchecked,  is  in  pneumonia. 

Treatment,  in  the  active  stage,  may  be  the  same  as  in 
pneumonia  or  drachm  doses  of  powdered  lobelia  seeds 
twice  a  day,  with  warmth  and  moisture  to  the  external 
surface  until  we  know  that  it  has  taken  effect  fi-om  the  soft- 
ness of  the  pulse,  by  demulcent,  such  as  shppery  elm. 
Counter  irritants  applied  in  the  vicinity  of  the  throat  or 
chest  will  afford  relief;  when  a  relaxing  effect  is  desired, 
use  one  pint  of  vinegar  to  2  ounces  of  powdered  lobelia  ; 
let  it  warm  over  a  slow  fire,  and  apply  to  the  throat  two 
or  three  times  a  day  ;  encircle  the  throat  with  a  piece  of 
soft  flannel.  Keep  the  bowels  loose  by  sloppy  diet,  sea- 
soned with  salt.  Fine  feed  scalded  and  given  to  the  animal 
while  warm,  is  beneficial,  or  instead  of  the  above  a  blis- 
ter applied  over  the  brisket  and  sides,  and  up  the  trached 
to  the  larynx,  will  afford  relief. 


CATARRH. 

Catarrh  frequently  arises  from  exposures,  or  changes 
so  trifling,  that  they  would  not  be  supposed  of  the  least 
importance  by  one  unaccustomed  to  horses.  Some  sup- 
pose that  cold  and  exposure  are  the  sole  causes  of  catarrh ; 
yet  it  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  many  horses  take  cold, 
even  though  they  have  not,  within  several  days,  some 


Nasal  Gleet.  149 

times  weeks,  been  in  a  situation  where  cold  could  be 
taken  after  this  fashion ;  in  short,  have  not  left  their  warm, 
comfortable  stables.  But  we  must  remember  that  a 
high  temperature  is  just  as  likely  to  brmg  on  a  cold  as 
any  other  cause,  especially  when  the  subject  has  been 
liberally  fed  ;  catarrh,  in  general,  oftener  arises  from  heat 
than  cold.  But  an  insalubrious  atmosphere  may  be  set 
down  as  the  chief  cause  of  common  colds. 

SYifPTOMS. — A  discharge  from  the  nostrils,  increased 
redness  of  the  membrane,  lining  the  nostrils  ;  oozing  of 
tears  from  the  corners  of  the  eyes ;  swellings  underneath 
the  jaws;  snorting;  cough,  with  or  without  febrile 
disorder. 

Teeatsient. — If  the  patient  is  in  good  flesh  and  the 
weather  is  favorable,  he  may  be  turned  out  on  green  food 
in  the  day  time,  and  taken  up  at  night,  and  a  brand  mash 
given.  If  the  weather  be  cold,  let  the  patient  have  com- 
fortable quarters,  a  good  bed  blanket,  legs  rubbed  and 
then  bandaged  with  flannel ;  for  diet,  scalded  shorts.  The 
soreness  of  the  throat  may  be  removed  by  the  following : 
Olive  oil,  8  ounces,  oil  of  cedar,  1  ounce,  applied  twice  a 
day,  a  blistering,  a  fever  ball  or  two,  with  a  drachm  of 
aloes  in  each,  and  a  httle  antimony,  will  generally,  set 
right ;  keep  the  rectum  open  by  an  injection  of  warm 
water  and  soap  ;  physic  should  not  be  given  without  con- 
sideration ;  blood  letting  in  some  cases  may  be  resorted  to 
with  success. 

NASAL  GLEET. 

Symptoms. — A  discharge  of  thick,  yellow  naucus ;  if  at 
grass,  it  assumes  a  green  color.  At  times  it  becomes 
purulent,  tinged  with  blood,  and  if  not  arrested  at  this 
stage,  it  may  end  in  glanders.  The  discharge  fluctuates 
with  the  weather  :  in  dry,  it  sometimes  subsides,  and  in- 
creases in  wet  and  cold  weather.  If  confined  to  the  left 
nostril,  it  becomes    tenacious,   elastic,  and  accumulates 


150  TiiK  Hoi?sr.  Pa^rrier. 

around  the  edges  of  the  nasal  cavities,  and  is  accompa- 
nied by  enlargement  of  the  gland,  and  drooping  of  the  ear, 
we  may  be  prepared  for  the  worst ;  for  ten  chances  to  one, 
if  it  does  not  terminate  in  glanders. 

Teeatment.^No  1.  Take  of  alum,  one  pound,  rosin, 
one  half  pound,  one  half  blue  vitriol,  grind  and  mix  with 
one  half  of  ginger.  Give  one  large  spoonful  every  night 
and  morning 

ROARING. 

Symptoms. — An  unnatural,  loud,  grunting  sound  made 
by  the  animal  in  breathing,  after  a  short  gallop,  pro- 
duced in  the  act  of  inspiration,  caused  by  obstructions 
in  the  respiratory  canal.  Thickening  of  the  membrane 
sometimes  is  the  result  of  strangles,  chronic  cough,  ca- 
tarrh, but  more  frequently  is  the  result  of  tight  reining, 
by  keeping  the  windpipe  in  one  position,  or  in  the  absorp- 
tion and  paralyzation  of  the  muscles,  on  one  side,  which 
assist  in  opening  and  enlarging  the  entrance  to  the  larynx, 
by  pulling  back  the  arytenoid  cartilages,  as  they  are 
termed.  The  consequence  of-this  is,  that  an  obstruction 
takes  place ;  and,  although  the  air  can  enter  with  suffi- 
cient rapidity  when  the  animal  is  at  rest,  yet  when 
respiration  is  hurried  by  exertion,  a  great  noise  is  occa- 
sioned by  the  air  passing  through  the  narrow  aperture 
with  great  rapidity. 

Treatment. — Remember  that,  in  every  chronic  case 
like  this,  the  only  hope  of  success  depends  on  perseve- 
rance. "Whatever  means  is  adopted,  give  it  a  fair  trial. 
Confirmed  cases  may  be  incurable.  Those  of  recent  date 
may  be  cured  where  the  obstruction  can  be  detected.  It 
will  be  well  to  bleed,  purge,  and  bUster  over  the  affected 
parts ;  when  the  physic  acts,  commence  a  course  of  fever 
medicine  ;  if  no  relief  is  afforded,  in  two  or  three  weeks, 
change  the  treatment.  If  it  arise  from  atrophy  of  the  mus- 
cles, let  them  be  stimulated  daily  with  hartshorn  liniment, 
or  some  such  application,  and  frequent  hard  rubbing.  If 
from  tumors,  let  them  be  removed.  If  the  thyroid  glands 
are  enlarged,  they  should  be  rubbed  daily  with   stimula- 


Common  Cough.  151 

ting  liniment,  or  ointment  of  iodine.  The  horse  should 
at  all  times  have  the  free  use  of  his  head  and  neck,  or  the 
best  treatment  might  fail.  Should  the  cause  of  roaring 
evidently  exist  (below  the  fauces)  either  in  the  bronchii, 
trachea,  or  lungs,  the  operation  of  trachetomy  may  be 
preferred,  which  consists  in  making  an  opening  into  the 
trachea,  and  through  it  inserting  a  tube,  which  may  be 
worn  for  any  length  of  time,  by  taking  the  precaution  to 
Cicause  it  occasionally.     See  Tracheotomy. 

COMMON    COUGH, 

Cough  is  present,  and  often  causes  annoyance,  in  ca- 
tarrh, laryngitis,,  bronchitis,  strangles,  horse  ail,  &c.  Is 
present  also  in  cases  of  deranged  digestive  organs,  and 
when  a  quantity  of  worms  are  present  in  the  digestive 
organs.  A  common  cough  may  attend  various  forms  of 
disease.  In  cases  of  a  catarrhal  character,  when  a  quan- 
tity of  mucus  accumulates  in  the  respiratory  passages, 
the  act  of  coughing  ejects  it,  and  thus  relieves  the  ani- 
mal ;  therefore,  a  cough  of  this  kind  may  be  salutary 
rather  than  otherwise,  and  in  that  event  needs  no  treat- 
ment. 

A  sympathetic  cough  can  only  be  cured  by  directing 
our  remedies  to  the  seat  of  the  malady  ;  that  cured,  the 
cough  ceases. 

It  does  not  interfere  with  the  treatment  of  any  disease 
to  use  simple  remedies  to  mitigate  a  cough,  if  it  cause  the 
patient  some  annoyance ;  in  this  view  I  use  jjowdered 
slippery  elm,  Indian  turnip,  j^owdered  skunk  cabbage, 
caraway  seeds,  of  each  4  ounces.  Dose,  one  half  ounce 
twice  a  day  in  gruel. 

If  the  cough  continues  after  the  disappearance  of  pul- 
monary diseases,  dissolve  1  ounce  of  balsam  of  fir  in 
2  ounces  of  the  sweet  spirits  of  nitre,  add  4  ounces  of 
the  syrup  of  garlic.  Dose,  one  ounce,  night  and  morn- 
ing, given  in  gruel. 

CHRONIC   COTJGH. 

Chronic  cough  is  generally  caused  by  long  continued 
or  neglected  catarrh,  or  sore  throat.  j  q 


152  'i'HK    IIuiiSK    Fakuiek. 

THICK    WIND. 

Thick  or  broken  wind  is  sometimes  connected  with 
worms  and  glanders.  152 

If  a  harsh  hollow  cough  is  accompanied  by  a  staring 
coat,  and  the  appearance  of  worms, — a  few  worm-balls 
may  expel  the  worms,  and  remove  the  irritation  of  the 
intestinal  canal.  If  it  proceeds  from  irritability  of  the 
air  passages,  which  will  be  discovered  by  the  horse 
coughing  after  drinking,  or  when  he  first  goes  out  of 
the  stable  in  the  morning,  or  by  his  occasionally  snort- 
ing out  thick  mucus  from  the  nose,  medicines  may  be 
given,  and  sometimes  with  advantage,  to  diminish  irrita- 
tion generally.  Small  doses  of  digitalis,  emetic  tartar, 
and  nitre,  administered  every  night,  frequently  have  a 
beneficial  effect,  especially  when  mixed  mth  tar.  These 
balls  should  be  regularly  given  for  a  considerable  time. 
A  blister,  extending  from  the  root  of  one  ear  to  that  ol 
the  other,  and  reaching  six  or  eight  inches  down  the 
windpipe,  has  been  tried,  and  often  with  good  effect,  on 
the  supposition  that  the  irritation  may  exist  at  the  roots 
of  the  tongue.  Feedmg  has  much  infiuence.  Too  much 
dry  feed,  and  especially  chaff,  increases  it.  It  is  aggra- 
vated when  the  horse  is  suffered  to  eat  his  litter.  One 
of  the  best  remedies  for  an  obstinate  cough  that  bids  fair 
to  become  chronic,  is  a  seton  under  the  throat,  which 
should  be  kept  seven  or  eight  weeks.  Carrots  afiord 
decided  relief. 

When  chronic  cough  chiefly  occurs  after  eating,  the 
seat  of  the  disease  is  evidently  in  the  substance  of  the 
lungs.  In  the  violent  effort  of  the  lungs  to  discharge 
their  functions,  when  laboring  under  congestion,  irrita- 
tion is  produced,  and  the  act  of  coughmg  is  the  conse- 
quence. 

HEAVES  OR  BROKEN  WIND. 

A  troublesome  cough,  and  sometimes  of  long  contin- 
uance, is  the  foundation  of  the  disease,  or  indicates  ihat 
irritable  state  of   the  ^^ronchial   membrane  with    which 


IIeavks  oR   Broken  Wind.  153 

broken  wind  is  almost  necessarily  associated.  Horses 
that  are  greedy  feeders,  or  devour  large  quantities  of 
slightly  nutritious  food,  or  are  worked  with  a  stomach 
distended  by  this  food,  are  very  subject  to  broken  wind. 
The  agricultural  horse  is  too  often  fed  on  the  very  re- 
fuse of  the  fann,  and  his  hours  of  feeding,  and  his  hours 
of  work,  are  frequently  irregular.  A  rapid  galloi?  on  a 
full  stomach  has  often  produced  broken  wind.  Flatulence, 
and  a  depraved  appetite,  is  the  consequence  as  well  as  the 
cause  of  broken-T\ind  ;  and  there  is  no  pathological  fact 
of  more  frequent  occurrence  than  the  co-existence  of  in- 
digestion and  flatulence  with  broken  wind. 

Treatment. — Confirmed  cases  are  incurable,  but  the 
disease  may  in  some  degree  be  palliated.  We  must  res- 
tore digestion  in  order  to  cure  indigestion.  Attend 
carefullv  to  the  feeding.  The  food  should  lie  in  very  small 
compass,  plenty  of  oats,  soaked  4  hours,  with  one  pint  of 
flax  seed,  and  little  hay,  and  this  of  the  best  quality ; 
if  moistened  with  fresh  chamberley,  it  improves  it.  Musty 
hay  should  never  be  given  to  a  horse  that  has  the  heaves, 
and  water  should  be  given  in  moderate  quantities.  The 
horse  should  not  be  suftered  to  drink  as  much  as  he  likes 
until  the  day's  work  is  over.  Green  feed  will  always  be 
serviceable.  Carrots  are  particularly  useful.  They  are 
readily  digested,  and  appear  to  have  a  peculiarly  benefi- 
cial eflect  on  the  respiratory  system.  A  broken-winded 
horse  should  always  be  watered  from  a  bucket,  regularly, 
three  times  a  day  ;  and  if  he  be  a  foul  feeder,  arm  him 
with  a  muzzle,  and  only  remove  it  at  meal  time.  We  oc- 
casionally allow  a  small  quantity  of  garlic,  say  a  couple 
of  heads  every  other  day,  chopped  fine,  and  mixed  in  the 
food.  One  drachm  of  tincture  of  aromatic  sulphuric 
acid  in  a  pint  of  water,  night  and  morning,  will  be  at- 
tended with  good  results.     In  the  mean  time  we  put  the 


154  TiiK   \hni>^-.  Y.wnuvR. 

animal  on  a  course  of  tlie  following  alterative  medicine 
Powdered  ginger,  gentian,  sulphur,  salt,  cream  of  tartar 
charcoal,  licorice,  elecampane,  caraway  seeds,  and  balm 
of  Gilead  buds,  (chopped  tine,)  equal  parts.  Dose,  one 
ounce  every  night  in  the  food. 

No.  2.  Take  the  young  shoots  .or  buds  of  white 
pine,  say  in  May  or  June,  boil  them,  wlien  the  liquor  is 
cold,  give  the  horse  one  pint  a  day  for  10  days. 

No.  3.  Take  180  grains  of  tartar  emetic  and  divide 
into  3  equal  doses,  mix  in  wet  brand,  give  once  in  two 
days  ;  this  will  alleviate. 

No.  4.  To  20  gallons  of  water,  add  one  half  pint  of 
unslacked  lime,  give  the  horse  no  other  drink ;  to  his 
grain,  add  1  gill  of  vinegar,  or  one  spoonful  of  ginger  ; 
apples  are  excellent  for  a  horse  that  has  the  heaves ; 
good  cured  corn  stalk  will  generally  relieve  the  disease. 

No.  5.  Take  1  pint  of  alcohol  and  put  in  all  the  tar 
it  will  cut,  give  two  table  spoonsfull,  every  morning- 
one  hour  before  feeding,  for  10  or  11  days. 

BLISTERING. 

The  principle  on  which  they  act  is,  that  two  intense  in- 
flammations cannot  exist  in  neighboring  parts,  at  the  same 
time  ;  they  also  increase  the  action  of  contiguous  vessels. 
Inflammations  should  be  met  promptly,  with  blistering. 
Old  enlargements  and  swellings  can  be  removed  by  mild- 
er stimulants,  such  as  siceatinff  down  the  part  to  be  blis- 
tered. The  hair  should  be  shaved,  and  the  ointment 
thoroughly  rubbed  in.  Care  should  be  taken  that  the 
horse  cannot  hurt  himself.  After  twenty-four  hours,  a 
little  olive  or  neat's  foot  oil  should  be  applied  over  the 
blister.  Apply  the  oil,  morning  and  night,  until  the  scab 
peels  off.  Where  there  is  a  tendency  to  grease,  blister- 
ing is  dangerous.  In  the  whiter,  care  should  be  used 
that  the  horse  does  not  take  cold  m  the  part  blistered. 


CHAPTER    YIII 


DISEASES  OF  THE  UHINAKY  ORGANS,  AND  DIGESTIVE  CAVITY, 


INFLAMMATION    OF   THE   KIDNEYS. 

SYMPro^^rs. — A  constant  desire  to  void  urine,  although 
only  passed  in  small  quantities,  highly  colored,  and  some- 
tinies  tinged  with  blood,   though  more  generally  quite 
natural.     There  is  usually  a  peculiar  stiflfness  in  the  hind 
extremities,  especially  when  the  horse  is  made  to  describe 
a  circle.     Pressure  on  the  loins  elicit  symptoms  of  pain, 
and  the  pulse  and  respirations  denote  febrile  symptoms. 
The  Treatment  will  only  vary  from  that  of  inflamma- 
tion of  other  parts  by  a  consideration  of  the  peculiarity 
of  the   organ  affected.     Bleeding  may  be  promptly  re- 
sorted to.     An  active  purge  should  next  be  administered, 
and  a  counter-inflammation  excited  as  nearly  as  possible 
to  the  s  jat  of  disease.     For  this  purpose,  the  loms  should 
be  fomented  n  it'i  liot  water,  or  covered  with  a  mustard- 
poultice  —  the  horse  should  be  warmly  clothed  ;  no  di- 
uretic should  be  given  internally.     One  of  the  best  ap- 
plications to  the  lohis  is  a  fresh  sheep  skin,  the  skin  side 
inwards.     This  will  very  soon  cause  and  keep  up  a  con- 
siderable persi:»iration,  which  may  be  contmued  by  means 
of  a  fresh  skin  in  the  course  of  twelve  hours.     With  re- 
gard to  internal  medicines,  one  of  the  best  sedatives  is 
the  white  hellebore,  in  doses  of  a  scruple  twice  a  day. 
The  bowels  should  be  opened  by  means  of  an  aperient 


156  The  Horse  Farkier. 

draught,  and  abundance  of  linseed  tea  should  be  given, 
so  as  to  sheath  the  irritated  parts.  The  patient  should 
be  warmly  clothed  ;  his  legs  well  bandaged,  and  plenty 
of  water  oifered  to  him.  The  food  should  be  carefully 
examined,  and  anything  that  could  have  excited,  or  that 
may  prolong  the  irritation,  carefully  removed. 

INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  BLADDER. 

This  is  a  very  rare  but  exceedingly  dangerous  disease. 
There  are  two  varieties  of  this  disease,  inflammation  of 
the  body  of  the  bladder,  and  of  its  neck.  The  symptoms 
are  nearly  the  same  with  those  of  inflammation  of  the 
kidney,  except  that  there  is  rarely  a  total  suppression  of 
urine,  and  there  is  heat  felt  in  the  rectum  over  the  situa- 
tion of  the  bladder.  The  causes  are,  the  presence  of  some 
acrid  or  irritant  matter  in  the  urine,  or  of  calculus  or 
stone  in  the  bladder.  In  inflammation  of  the  neck  of  the 
bladder,  there  is  the  same  frequent  voiding  of  urine  in 
small  quantities,  generally  appearing  in  an  advanced  stage 
of  the  disease,  and  often  ending  in  almost  total  suppres- 
sion. There  is  this  circumstance  which  can  never  be  mis- 
taken :  the  bladder  is  distended  with  urine,  and  can  be 
distinctly  felt  under  the  rectum.  It  is  spasm  of  the  part, 
closing  the  neck  of  the  bladder  so  powerfully  that  the 
contraction  of  the  bladder  and  the  pressure  of  the  mus- 
cles are  unable  to  force  out  the  urine. 

The  Treatment  in  this  case  will  be  the  same  as  in  in- 
flammation of  the  kidneys,  except  that  it  is  of  more  con- 
sequence that  the  animal  should  drink  freely  of  water  or 
thin  gruel. 

The  irritation  being  great,  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
keep  any  soothing  application  in  the  bladder,  the  contents 
of  which  are  being  continually  ejected.  Recourse,  there- 
fore, must  be  had  to  very  copious  bleeding,  so  as  to  en- 
deavor to  check  the  inflammation  which  exists,  as 
well  as  to  assuage  the  irritation,  which  forbids  local 
measures.  It  will  assist,  to  administer  calomel,  combined 
with  opium  and  tartarized  antimony,  two  scru^^les  of  each 
being  given  three  times  a  day.    The  same  means  may  be 


InFLAMMATI   N  OF  StO^TACII  AND  BoWELS.  157 

adopted  when  inflammation  attacks  the  neck  of  the  blad- 
der, and  the  spasm  prevents  its  evacuation.  The  bladder 
of  a  mare  may  be  readily  evacuated  by  means  of  a  cath- 
eter ;  and,  by.  the  aid  of  the  elastic  and  flexible  catheter, 
the  bladder  of  the  gelding  can  also  be  discharged,  though 
the  operation  requires  some  tact  and  skill. 

rNTLAilMATION  OP  THE   ST03IACH   AXD   BOWELS. 

There  are  two  varieties  of  this  malady.  The  first  is 
inflammation  of  the  external  coats  of  the  intestines,  called 
peritonitis  accompanied  by  considerable  fever,  and  usually 
costiveness.  The  second  is  that  of  the  internal  or  mu- 
cous coat,  called  enteritis. 

The  muscular  coat  is  that  which  is  oftenest  affected. 
Inflammation  of  the  external  coats  of  the  stomach,  whether 
the  peritoneal  or  muscular,  or  both,  is  a  very  frequent 
and  fatal  disease.  It  speedily  runs  its  course,  and  it  is  of 
great  consequence  that  its  early  symptoms  should  be 
known. 

The  causes  of;:>er^7o?l^^^5  are  both  numerous  and  various. 
We  have  seen  that  colic  may  give  rise  to  it.  Constipa- 
tion may  be  viewed  in  the  light,  both  of  cause  and  effect, 
in  Its  relation  to  it.  Collected  hardened  fa)ces  must  nat- 
urally not  only  of  themselves  be  irritative,  but  obstruct- 
tive  and  subversive  of  the  functions  of  the  bowels,  and  in 
either  one  or  the  other  way  may  lay  the  foundation  for 
an  attack  of  inflammation.  Certain  kinds  of  indigestible 
food,  calculous  bodies,  irritating  matter  of  any  sort,  with- 
in the  bowels,  may  cause  an  inflammation  of  them.  Ob- 
struction of  any  of  their  passages — whether  it  be  from 
the  lodgment  and  immovableness  of  the  matters  they  con- 
tain, or  from  entanglement  of  the  intestines,  or  intus-sus- 
ception — must  in  the  end  occasion  inflammation.  Over-fa- 
tigue, and  consequent  excessive  irritation  in  the  bowels, 
will  bring  it  on. 

SYMPTOiis. — There  is  some  analogy  between  the  symp- 
toms of  this  disease  and  coUc ;  there  is,  however,  one 
marked  feature  of  the  case  which  enables  us  to  diagnose 


158  TuK  I[oI:B^: 

the  disease  with  some  degree  of  certainty,  for  when  in- 
flammation has  fairly  set  in,  there  is  little,  if  any,  remission 
of  pain ;  whereas,  in  colic,  the  pains  are  of  a  spasmodic 
character,  so  that  the  animal  at  times  is  qnite  easy.  The 
pulse,  in  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  is  small,  firm,  and 
quick  increasing  in  beat  as  the  disease  increases  in  in- 
tensity. 

"  The  next  stage  borders  on  delirium.  The  eye  acquires 
a  T^^ld,  haggard,  mmatural  stare — the  pupil  dilates — his 
heedless  and  dreadful  throes  render  approach  to  him  quite 
perilous.  He  is  an  object  not  only  of  compassion  but  of 
apprehension,  and  seems  fast  hurrying  to  his  end ;  when, 
all  at  once,  in  the  midst  of  agonizing  torments,  he  stands 
quiet,  as  though  every  pain  had  left  him,  and  he  were  go- 
ing to  recover.  His  breathing  becomes  tranquilized — 
his  pulse  sunk  beyond  all  j^erception — his  body  bedewed 
with  a  cold,  clammy  sweat — ^he  is  in  a  tremor  from  head 
to  foot,  and  about  the  legs  and  ears  has  even  a  death-like 
feel.  The  mouth  feels  deadly  chill ;  the  lips  drop  pendu- 
lous ;  and  the  eye  seems  unconscious  of  objects.  In  line, 
death,  not  recovery,  is  at  hand;  Mortification  has  seized 
the  inflamed  bowel — pain  can  no  longer  be  felt  in  that 
which,  a  few  minutes  ago,  was  the  seat  of  exquisite  sui- 
fering.  He  again  becomes  convulsed,  and  in  a  few  more 
struggles,  less  violent  than  the  former,  he  expires. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  should  be  prompt  and 
energetic.  The  first  and  most  powerful  means  of  cure 
w^ill  be  bleeding.  From  six  to  eight  quarts  of  blood 
should  be  abstracted  as  soon  as  possible ;  and  the  bleed- 
hig  repeated,  if  the  pain  is  not  relieved  and  the  pulse  has 
not  become  rounder  and  fuller.  Weakiness  is  the  conse- 
quence of  violent  inflammation  of  these  parts;  and  if  that 
iniiammation  is  subdued  by  the  loss  of  blood,  the  weakness 
will  disappear.  The  bleeding  should  be  effected  on  the 
first  appearance  of  the  disease. 

A  strong  solution  of  aloes  should  immediately  follow 
the  bleeding,  but  guarded  by  opium.  This  should  be 
quickly  folloA\'ed  by  back-raking,  and  injections  consisting 
of  warm  w^ater,  or  very  thin  gruel,  in  which  Epsom  salts 


BoTs.  159 

or  aloes  have  been  dissolved ;  and  too  much  fluid  can 
scarcely  be  thrown  up.  If  the  common  ox-bladder  and 
pipe  is  used,  it  should  be  frequently  replenished.  The 
horse  should  likewise  be  encouraged  to  drink  plentifully 
of  warm  water  or  thin  gruel ;  and  draughts,  each  con 
taining  a  couple  of  drachms  of  dissolved  aloes,  with  a 
little  opium,  should  be  given  every  six  hours,  until  the 
bowels  are  freely  opened. 

Dr.  Dadd  recommends  a  method  of  treatment  quite 
different  from  the  above.  He  is  very  much  opposed  to 
blood-letting  in  all  cases.  That  bleeding  is  efficacious  in  this 
and  other  diseases,  is  certain,  but  we  are  not  certain  that 
the  same  results  cannot  be  attained  by  other  and  mild- 
er remedies.  There  has  been  a  reform,  of  late  years, 
in  the  human  practice  with  good  results,  and  why  can- 
not the  same  ends  be  accomplished  in  the  veterinary  prac- 
tice ?  We  would  recommend  a  careful  perusal  of  Dr. 
Dadd,  in  "  Modern  Horse  Doctor,"  on  this  disease. 

BOTS. 

This  disease  is  frequently  confounded  with  choUc,  or 
other  diseases.  Generally  speaking,  bots  are  not  so  trouble- 
some to  horses  as  people  seem  to  suppose  ;  for  it  is  very 
rare,  in  making  a  post  mortem  examination,  that  we  do  not 
find  more  or  less  in  the  stomach.  This  history  is  curious 
and  is  as  follows  : 

A  species  of  gad-fly  is  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer 
exceedingly  busy  about  the  horse.  It  is  observed  to  be 
darting  with  great  rapidity  towards  the  knees  and  sides 
of  the  animal.  The  females  are  depositing  their  eggs  on 
the  hair,  and  which  adhere  to  it  by  means  of  a  glutinous 
fluid  ^\dth  which  they  are  surrounded.  In  a  few  days  the 
eggs  are  ready  to  be  hatched,  and  the  slightest  applica- 
tion of  warmth  and  moisture  will  liberate  the  little  ani- 
mals which  they  contain.  The  horse  in  licking  himself 
touches  the  egg ;  it  bursts,  and  a  small  worm  escapes, 


160  The  Horse  Farrier. 

wliich  adheres  to  the  tongue,  and  is  conveyed  with  the 
food  into  the  stomach.  There  it  clings  to  the  cuticular 
portion  of  the  stomach,  by  means  of  a  hook  on  either 
side  of  its  mouth ;  and  its*  hold  is  so  firm  and  so  obsti- 
nate, that  it  most  be  broken  before  it  can  be  detached. 
It  remains  there  feeding  on  the  mucus  of  the  stomach 
during  the  whole  of  the  winter,  and  until  the  end  of  the 
ensuing  spring  ;  when,  having  attained  a  considerable 
size,  and  being  destined  to  undergo  a  certain  transforma- 
tion, it  disengages  itself  from  the  cuticular  coat,  is  car- 
ried into  the  villous  portion  of  the  stomach  with  the  food, 
passes  out  of  it  with  the  chyme,  and  is  evacuated  with 
the  dung. 

Treatment. — In  most  cases,  if  the  horse  be  allowed 
to^  run  for  a  short  time  at  grass,  when  the  bots  have  at- 
tained their  full  growth,  and  exercise  an  independent  life, 
they  will  pass  off  with  the  excrement.  The  compound 
for  the  expulsion  of  the  bots  will  be  found  useful,  when 
they  are  found  at  neck  of  the  throat : 

No.  2.  Drench  freely  with  sweet  milk  and  molasses, 
(sugar  or  honey  will  do,)  well  shaken  together.  Contin- 
ue it,  a  bottle  full  every  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes,  accord- 
ing to  the  severity  of  the  attack,  until  the  animal  becomes 
easy ;  then  give  a  quart  bottle  full  of  strong  salt  and  wa- 
ter, folloAved  soon  after  with  a  quart  bottle  of  Castor  Oil. 
It  is  worse  than  idle  to  give  anything  with  the  view  of 
killing  the  bots  in  a  horse.  The  only  plan  is  to  coax  them 
off. 

No.  3.  Make  a  tea  of  sage,  sweeten  it  well,  when  about 
milk  warm  drench  your  horse  with  it.  If  it  turns  out  to 
be  colic  and  not  bots,  the  sage  will  be  good  for  that. 

No.  4.  As  soon  as  it  is  discovered  that  a  horse  has 
symptoms  of  bots,  give  a  half  pint  of  warm,  sweet  milk, 
just  drawn  from  a  cow,  and  a  half  pint  of  molasses.  In 
15  minutes  after,  give  a  strong  tea  made  of  elder  bark, 
and  sage,  to  which  add  a  half  an  ounce  of  alum.  This  is 
given  as  a  drench.  In  half  an  hour  after,  give  the  horse 
a  portion  of  physic. 


Colic.  161 

We  have  but  little  faith  in  medicine  expelling  bots ;  we 
can  get  the  medicine  into  the  horse's  stomach,  but  we 
cannot  get  it  down  the  throat  of  the  worm  when  the  food 
does  not  suit  him. 

The  nit  or  egg  can  easily  be  got  rid  of  by  greasing  the 
horse's  hair,  and  then  rubbing  it  with  a  coarse  cloth,  or 
by  applying  warm  water,  which  loosens  their  hold  on  the 
hair. 

COLIC. 

In  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  coUc  is  the  result  of  impaired  di 
gestive  organs.  The  drinking  of  cold  water  when  the 
horse  is  heated,  is  a  very  sure  origin  of  violent  spasm 
in  the  horse.  Hard  water  is  very  apt  to  produce  this 
effect.  Colic  will  sometimes  follow  the  exposure  of  a 
horse  to  the  cold  air  or  a  cold  wind,  after  strong  exercise. 
Green  feed,  although,  generally  speaking,  most  beneficial 
to  the  horse,  yet,  given  in  too  large  a  quantity,  or  when 
he  is  hot,  will  frequently  produce  gripes.  Doses  of  aloes, 
both  large  and  small,  are  not  unfrequent  causes  of  coUc. 

Symptoms. — It  is  of  much  importance  to  distinguish 
between  spasmodic  colic  and  inflammation  of  the  bowels, 
for  the  symptoms  have  considerable  resemblance,  although 
the  mode  of  treatment  should  be  very  different. 

The  attack  of  coHc  is  usually  very  sudden.  The  horse 
begins  to  shift  his  posture,  look  around  at  his  flanks,  paw 
violently,  strike  his  belly  with  his  feet,  and  crouch  in  a 
peculiar  manner,  advancing  his  hind  limbs  under  him  ;  he 
will  then  suddenly  he,  or  rather  fall  down,  and  balance 
himself  upon  his  back,  with  his  feet  resting  on  his  belly. 
The  pain  now  seems  to  cease  for  a  little  while,  and  he  gets 
up,  and  shakes  himself,  and  begins  to  feed ;  the  respite, 
however,  is  but  short — the  spasm  returns  more  violently 
— every  indication  of  pain  is  increased — he  heaves  at  the 
flanks,  breaks  out  into  a  profuse  perspiration,  and  throws 


162  The  Hoksf.  FAPainR. 

himself  more  recklessly  about.  In  the  space  of  an  hour 
or  two,  either  the  spasms  begin  to  relax,  and  the  remis- 
sions are  of  longer  duration,  or  the  torture  is  augmented 
at  every  paroxysm  ;  the  intervals  of  ease  are  fewer  and 
less  marked,  and  inflammation  and  death  supervene.  The 
pulse  is  but  Uttle  affected  at  the  commencement,  but  it 
soon  becomes  frequent  and  contracted,  and  at  length  is 
scarcely  perceptable. 

Treatment. — Take  powdered  grams  of  paradise,  1  tea^ 
spoonful;  powdered  caraway,  1-2  tea-spoonful;  oil  of 
peppermint,  20  drops ;  powdered  slippery  elm,  1  table- 
spoonful  ;  hot  water,  1  pint ;  mixed  together  and  given 
from  a  bottle.  An  injection  of  common  soap  suds  thrown 
into  the  rectum.  Peppermint  tea  alone  will  sometimes  af- 
ford relief  and  a  perfect  cure.  Saleratus  is  a  favorite 
remedy  with  many,  but  it  should  not  be  mixed  with  milk 
or  molasses,  as  is  often  done. 

If  the  animal  labors  under  pyloric  obstruction,  the  fol- 
lowing is  a  good  preparation  ;  —  Carbonate  ammonia,  1 
drachm ;  tincture  of  gmger,  1  ounce ;  water,  1  pint. 
Mix,  and  drench  the  horse. 

SCOURS  AND  CONSTIPATION   IN  YOUNG  COLTS. 

The  principal  cause  of  this  disease  is  the  want  of  prop- 
er management  of  the  mother.  It  is  a  law  of  nature  that 
whatever  effects  the  bowels  of  the  mother,  will  also  ef- 
fect the  colt  through  the  milk  it  derives,  though  more 
seriously.  For  the  colt  must  now,  and,  until  it  be  able 
to  masticate  food,  depend  altogether  on  the  parent's  milk, 
and  the  latter  cannot  furnish  it  in  sufficient  quantities,  un- 
less kept  on  generous  food. 

Treatment. — Our  first  duty  is  to  attend  to  the  wants 
of  the  mother — estabhsh  her  health  if  it  be  impaired. 

Stock  raisers  might  learn  a  lesson  from  nurses  who  'at- 
tend human  parturients ;  they  give  the  old-fashioned  dose 


Scours  and  Constipation  in  Colts.  168 

of  castor  oil  understandingly,  knowing  from  long  experi- 
ence that  it   operates   both  on   the  mother  and  child. 

The  milk  of  the  mother,  immediately  after  parturition, 
is  the  best  kind  of  medicine  to  regulate  the  secretions  and 
excretions  of  the  offspring,  and  it  generally  has  the  de- 
sired effect.  There  may,  howeyer,  be  cases  where,  in 
Consequence  of  exposure,  the  foal  may  haye  diarrhoea ;  if 
So,  he  must  be  placed  in  a  warm  situation.  Perhaps  all 
that  will  now  be  needed  for  the  cure  is  some  warm  o-jn- 
ger,  or  caraway  tea  ;  and  a  httle  of  either  of  these  ^inij^le 
articles,  pulyerized,  may,  with  adyantage,  be  given  to  the 
mother  in  her  food.  If  the  mother  is  fat,  and  has  not  had 
sufficient  exercise  previous  to  parturition,  we  are  not  to 
be  in  a  hurry  to  stop  the  discharge,  but  merely  to  hold  it 
in  check.  If,  in  poor  condition,  and  still  losing  flesh, 
then,  in  addition,  give  of  tonic,  and  give  freely  of  gruel 
made  of  w^heat  flour,  and  as  long,  the  foal  should  not  de- 
pend altogether  on  its  dam  for  sustenance,  but  might  have 
a  daily  allowance  of  boiled  cow's  milk,  cooled  to  about  the 
temperature  of  milk  when  drawn.  Ilay  tea,  to  which  a 
small  quantity  of  cow's  milk  may  be  added,  is  an  excel- 
lent drink  for  the  young  foal  in  the  absence  of  its  mother's 
milk.  Try  it,  reader,  on  your  calves,  also,  if  you  have 
occasion. 

The  folloT\dng  astringent  drink  for  colts  is  efficacious, 
viz :  Angelica  root,  one  ounce ;  Cranesbill,  2  ounces ; 
bayberry  bark,  1-4  ounce ;  African  ginger,  1-2  ounce. 
Pour  on  the  above  ingredients  two  quarts  of  boiling  wa- 
ter ;  set  them  aside  for  a  few  hours.  Dose — Half  a  pint 
every  four  hours  until  the  disease  is  checked.  If  the  dis- 
charges are  fetid,  add  to  each  dose  half  a  table-spoonful 
of  flnely-pulverized  charcoal,  and  if  the  foal  be  weak  and 
in  poor  condition,  allow  it  hay  tea,  thickened  with  oat- 
meal. 

As  regards  costiveness,  green  food  and  scalded  shorts 
are  the  antidotes^  and  the  mother  will  partake  of  either 
with  relish ;  some  of  the  former,  if  the  season  permits, 
should  be  cut  and  placed  before  her  soon  after  labor.  If 
the  articles  fail  to  have  the  desired  effect,  a  dose  of  ap- 
erient medicine — castor  oil,  or  salts — should  be  given. 


164  The  Horse  Farrikr. 

diarrh(ea. 

This  is  qnite  a  common  disease  among  horses.  There 
is  a  kind,  however,  among  grass  eaters,  that  is  beneficial 
rather  than  other \\ase,  if  it  does  not  continue  for  any 
length  of  time.  Diarrhoea  is  the  effect  of  an  irritable  or 
congested  state  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  intes- 
tines, often  produced  by  improper  articles,  or  over  doses 
of  physic,  by  over  exertion  and  perspiration,  suddenly 
checked  by  exposure  to  cold  winds,  &c. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are,  he  frequently  looks 
round  at  his  flanks ;  his  breathing  is  laborious,  and  the 
pulse  is  quick  and  small — the  mouth  is  hot  and  the  legs 
and  ears  are  warm. 

Treatment. — If  it  proceeds  from  the  feed,  change  of 
diet  will  generally  be  sufficient.  Unless  the  purging  is 
excessive,  and  the  pain  and  distress  great,  the  surgeon 
should  hesitate  at  giving  any  astringent  medicine  at  first ; 
but  administer  gruel  or  thin  starch,  or  arrow-root,  by  the 
mouth  and  by  clyster,  removing  all  hay  and  corn,  and  par- 
ticularly green  feed.  Itj  however,  twelve  hours  have 
passed,  and  the  purging  and  the  pain  are  undiminished, 
continue  the  gruel,  adding  to  it  chalk,  catechu,  and  opium, 
repeated  every  six  hours.  As  soon  as  the  purging  begins 
to  subside  the  astringent  medicine  should  be  lessened  in 
quantity,  and  gradually  discontinued.  The  horse  should 
be  warmly  clothed,  and  placed  in  a  comfortable  stable, 
and  his  legs  should  be  hand-rubbed  and  bandaged.  Bay- 
berry  bark  and  charcoal  are  powerful  astringents. 

If  the  disease  depends  on  deranged  digestive  function, 
the  liver  included,  give  a  few  doses  of  the  following; 
Powdered  goldenseal,  2  ounces;  powdered  ginger,  1 
Dunce  ;  salt,  1  ounce.     Dose,  half  an  ounce  twice  a  day. 

IXDIGESTIOX. 

The  causes  of  indigestion  are  numerous :  too  little  or 
too  much  of  food,  water,  or  work ;  bad  ventilation ;  ex- 
posure; poisons;  damaged  or  highly  nutritious  food; 
working  the  animal  on  a  full  stomach — are  all  operative 
in  producing  indigestion  in  acute  or  chronic  forms. 


iNFLAiVrMATION    OF   THE    EyE.  165 

Symptoms. — The  excrement  is  very  variable  in  color 
and  consistence,  often  hard  and  covered  with  slime ;  at 
other  times  soft,  when  the  presence  of  intestinal  parasites 
can  be  detected.  The  nrine  is  scanty,  and  either  colored 
or  thickened  with  foreign  material.  The  animal  is  gen- 
erally cross  and  irritable,  and  leaves  the  stable,  at  work- 
ing time,  very  unwillingly ;  he  requires  considerable  urg- 
ing while  travelling,  and,  of  course,  is  incapacitated  to 
perform  his  usual  work. 

Treatment. — First,  if  possible,  remove  the  cause. 
If  the  animal  has  been  fed  on  dry  food,  let  him  have  a 
mixture  of  boiled  oats,  shorts,  and  carrots,  well  seasoned 
with  salt,  to  which  add  daily  half  a  table-spoonful  of 
v>^hite  mustard  seed;  |-  pint  of  pale  brandy  to  four 
ounces  of  fine  salt ;  dose,  a  wine  glass,  in  oatmeal  gruel, 
night  and  morning,  just  before  meals.  The  animal  must 
not  be  permitted  to  spend  half  his  time  eating.  Atten- 
tion must  also  be  paid  to  the  water  which  the  animal 
drinks  :  throw  a  handful  of  pulverized  charcoal,  daily, 
into  the  water  trough.  This  will  improve  the  very  worst 
kind. 

INFLAMMATIOX   OF   THE   EYE. 

This  disease  is  so  familiar  to  every  one,  that  a  descri}> 
tion  of  it  seems  unnecessary.  Its  seat  is  in  the  membrane 
which  lines  the  inside  of  the  eyelids  and  covers  the  white  of 
the  eye  ;  when  treated  in  the  early  stage,  it  generally  yields 
to  very  simple  treatment.  From  this  primary  form  of 
disease  others  of  a  more  alarming  nature  supervene. 

As  prevention  is  much  cheaper  than  cure,  it  is  of  great 
importance  to  practice  that  system  of  management,  with 
respect  to  feeding,  exercise,  cleanliness  and  ventilation, 
which  is  most  likely  to  prevent  it.  It  may  be  considered 
under  two  forms — the  common  and  manageable,  and  the 
specific  and  fatal.  The  common  inflammation  is  gener- 
ally sudden  in  its  attack. 

Symptoms. — The  lids  will  be  found  swelled  and  the 
eyes  partially  closed,  and  some  weeping.  The  inside  of 
the  Ud  will  be  red,  some  red  streaks  visible  on  the  white 


166  TiiK  lIoRyi-:  Fauimkk. 

of  the  eve,  and  the  cornea  slightly  dmi.  This  is  occasion- 
ally connected  with,  some  degree  of  catarrh  or  cold ;  but 
it  is  as  often  unaccompanied  by  this,  and  depends  on  ex- 
ternal irritation,  as  a  blow,  or  the  presence  of  a  bit  of 
hay-seed  or  oat-husk  within  the  hd,  towards  the  outer 
corner  where  the  haw  cannot  reach  it ;  therefore  the  hds 
should  always  be  carefully  examined  as  to  this  possible 
source  of  the  complaint. 

Treatmext. — Coohng  applications  to  the  eye,  as  the 
eye  lotion  or  tincture  of  opium,  with  gentle  physic,  will 
usually  abate  the  evil ;  or  the  inflammation  will  subside 
without  medical  treatment.  A  cool  shed,  rather  darken- 
ed, will  be  the  most  desirable  place ;  a  very  light  diet  of 
scalded  shorts,  or  gruel,  wiR  be  all  the  patient  needs,  for 
inflammation. 

LOCKED  JAWED  OE   TETAXUS. 

Locked  jaw  or  tetanus  is  one  of  the  most  dreadful 
and  fatal  diseases  to  which  the  horse  is  subject.  It  is 
called  locked  jaw,  because  the  muscles  of  the  jaw  are 
earliest  affected,  and  the  mouth  is  obstinately  and  im- 
movably closed.  It  is  a  constant  spasm  of  all  the  volun- 
tary muscles,  and  particularly  of  the  neck,  the  spine,  and 
the  head.  It  is  generally  slow  and  treacherous  in  its  at- 
tack. The  horse,  for  a  day  or  two,  does  not  appear  to 
Lu  quite  well ;  he  does  not  feed  as  usual ;  he  partly  chews 
li.s  food,  and  drops  it ;  and  he  gulps  his  water.  The 
owner  at  length  tinds  that  the  motion  of  the  jaws  is  con- 
siderably limited,  and  some  saliva  is  driveling  from  the 
mouth.  If  he  tries,  he  can  only  open  the  mouth  a  very 
little  way,  or  the  jaws  are  perfectly  and  rigidly  closed. 

Tetaims   most  usually   occurs  from   injuries   to  some 
nervous  flbre  of  the  foot — sometimes  Irom  a  prick  in  shoe- 
ing.    It  is  also  connected  with  docking,  nicking  and  cas 
tration,  over  exertion,  and  sudden  exposure. 

SYMPTo:srs. — A  protrusion  of  the  muzzle,  and  stiffness 
of  the  neck ;  the  muscles  singularly  prominent,  distinct, 
Lard,  knotty,  and  unyielding.  There  is  difficulty  in  bring- 
ing the  head  round,  and  still  greater  difficulty  in  bending 
it.     The  eye  is  drawn  deep  within  the  socket. 


L'CKKL)  Javw  167 

The  ears  are  erect,  pointed  forward,  and  immovable ; 
if  the  horse  is  spoken  to,  or  threatened  to  be  struck,  they 
change  not  their  position.  The  nostril  is  expanded  to  the 
utmost.  The  respiration  is  usually  accelerated,  yet  not 
always  so  ;  but  it  is  uniformly  laborious.  The  pulse  gives 
little  indication  of  the  severity  of  the  disease.  It  is  some- 
times scarcely  affected.  After  a  while,  however,  the  heart 
begins  to  sympathize  with  the  general  excitation  of  the 
system,  and  the  pulse  increases  in  frequency  and  force  un- 
til the  animal  l>ecomes  debilitated,  when  it  beats  yet  quick- 
er and  quicker,  but  dimmishes  in  power,  and  gradually 
11  utters  and  dies  away. 

The  countenance  is  eager,  anxious,  haggard,  and  tells 
y/lainly  enough  what  the  animal  suffers. 

The  stiffness  gradually  extends  to  the  back.  If  the 
horse  is  in  a  narrow  stall,  it  is  impossible  to  turn  him ; 
and,  even  with  room  and  scope  enough,  he  turns  alto- 
gether ]ike  a  deal-board. 

The  extremities  begin  to  participate  in  the  spasm — hind- 
er ones  generally  first.  The  horse  stands  with  his  hind- 
legs  straddling  apart  in  a  singular  way.  The  fore-limbs 
have  a  singular  appearance;  they  are  as  stiff  as  they  can 
possibly  be,  but  stretched  forward  and  straddling. 

There  is  a  degree  of  "  hide-bound"  appearance,  and  of 
tuckhig  np  of  the  belly,  which  is  seen  under  no  other 
complaint.     The  tail  becomes  in  constant  motion. 

Constipation,  and  to  an  almost  insurmountable  degree, 
now  appears.  The  abdomuial  muscles  are  so  powerfully 
contracted,  that  no  portion  of  the  contents  of  the  abdo- 
men can  pass  on  and  be  discharged. 

i>y  degrees  the  spasm  extends  and  becomes  everywhere 
more  violent.  The  motion  of  the  whole  frame  is  lost,  and 
the  horse  stands  fixed  in  the  unnatural  posture  which  he 
has  assumed.  The  countenance  becomes  wilder  and  more 
haggard — its  expression  can  never  be  affaced  from  the 
memory  of  him  who  cares  about  the  feelings  of  a  brute. 

Teeatment. — The  obj  ect  is  to  abate  the  spasm.  For  this 
purpose,  opium  will  be  the  most  efficient  remedy.  It  will 
be  borne  in  doses  of  from  half  a  drachm  to  two  drachms 


168  The  Hoii3E  Fahrieb. 

every  tour  or  five  hours.  Large  injectious  of  Epsoin  or  Glau- 
ber salts  in  solution  may  be  used  to  advantage.  The  horse 
should  be  well  rubbed  and  blanketed,  and  a  strong  liniment 
rubbed  along  the  spine. 

If  the  disease  terminates  fatally,  it  is  usually  from  the 
sixth  to  the  eighth  day.  There  are  occasionally  slight 
remissions  in  the  spasm,  but  not  sufficiently  to  enable  the 
animal  to  eat  or  to  drink.  If  these  remissions  return  and 
increase  in  length,  and  particularly  if  there  is  more  relax- 
ation of  the  lower  jaw,  there  is  yet  hope.  If  the  horse 
recovers,  it  will  be  slowly,  and  he  will  be  left  sadly  weak, 
and  a  mere  walking  skeleton. 

FEVER. 

Fever  is  general  increased  arterial  action,  either  with- 
out any  local  aifection,  or  in  consequence  of  the  sympa- 
thy of  the  system  with  inflammation  in  some  particular 
part. 

The  first  is  pure  fever.  Owing  to  bad  stable  manage- 
ment and  general  treatment,  and  the  susceptibility  of  va- 
rious parts  of  the  horse  to  take  on  inflammation,  iiiirf 
usually  degenerates  into  inflammation.  But  pure  fever 
is  sometimes  seen,  and  runs  its  course  regularly. 

It  frequently  begins  with  a  cold  and  shivering  flt, 
although  this  is  not  essential  to  fever.  The  horse  is  dull, 
unwillins:  to  move,  has  a  staring^  coat,  and  cold  les^s  and 
feet.  This  is  succeeded  by  warmth  of  the  body ;  une- 
qual distribution  of  warmth  to  the  legs ;  one  hot,  and  the 
other  three  cold,  or  one  or  more  unnaturally  warm,  and 
the  others  unusually  cold,  but  not  the  deathlike  coldness 
of  inflammation  of  the  lungs ;  the  pulse  quick,  soft,  and 
often  indistinct ;  the  breathing  somewhat  laborious  ;  but 
no  cough  or  pawing,  or  looking  at  the  flanks.  The  ani- 
mal will  scarcely  eat,  and  is  very  costive.  While  the 
state  of  pure  fever  lasts,  the  shivering  fit  returns  at 
nearly  the  sai  le  liour  every  day,  and  is  succeeded  by  the 
warm  one,  and  that  often  by  a  slight  degree  of  perspira- 
tion ;  and  these  alternate  during  several  days  until  local 


Putrid  Feveb.  169 

inflammation  appears,  or  the  fever  gradually  subsides. 
Ko  horse  ever  died  of  pure  fever.  If  he  is  not  destroyed 
by  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  or  feet,  or  bowels,  succeed- 
ing  to  the  fever,  he  gradually  recovers. 

Fever  is  general  mcreased  action  of  the  heart  and  ar- 
teries, and  therefore  evidently  appears  the  necessity  for 
bleeding,  regulating  the  quantity  of  blood  by  the  degree 
of  fever,  and  usually  keeping  the  iinger  on  the  artery 
until  some  evident  and  considerable  impression  is  made 
upon  the  system.  The  bowels  should  be  gently  opened  ; 
but  the  danger  of  inflammation  of  the  lungs,  and  the 
uniformly  injurious  consequence  of  purgation  in  that  dis- 
ease, will  prevent  the  administration  of  an  active  purga- 
tive. A  small  quantity  of  aloes  may  be  given,  morning 
and  night,  with  the  proper  fever  medicine,  until  the 
bowels  are  slightly  relaxed,  after  which  nothing  more  of 
an  aperient  quality  should  be  administered.  Digitalis, 
emetic  tartar,  and  nitre  should  be  given  morning  and 
night,  in  proportions  regulated  by  the  circumstances  of 
the  case.  The  horse  should  be  warmly  clothed,  and 
placed  in  a  cool  and  well-ventilated  stable. 

PUTRID      FEVER. 

The  cause  of  this  disease  may  be  attributed  to  the  at- 
mospheric influence  and  debility,  however  induced. 

Symptoms. — Great  debility,  difiiculty  in  swallowing, 
and  thirsty,  pulse  weak,  gets  down  and  is  not  able  to  rise, 
lies  on  his  side  paws,  not  able  to  rise,  rattles  in  the  wind- 
pipe. 

Treatment. — In  attacks  where  the  prostration  of 
strength  is  not  great,  give  a  drachm  of  camphor,  and  half 
an  ounce  of  nitre,  pulverized  and  dissolved  in  half  a  pint 
of  warm  water ;  and  give  as  a  drench  every  two  hours 
two  doses;  then  omit  one  dose,  and  give  half  an  ounce  of 
capsicum,  pulverised  and  dissolved  in  a  pint  of  warm 
water;  in  six  hours  after,  commence  with  the  camphor  and 
nitre  as  before,  and  give  it  every  six  hours,  till  it  has  con- 
siderable of  a  diuretic  efiect,  or  till  the  horse  shows  symp- 


170  The  Horse  Farrier. 

toms  of  rotuminrr  liealth,  when  three  doses  m  twenty- 
four  hours  will  be  snffici'ut.  But  if  the  horse  should  be 
losmg  streniTth,  the  nitre  must  be  left  out,  and  from  two 
to  four  draehms  of  capsicum  added  to  the  camplior  in 
its  place,  and  give   every  four  or  six  hours. 

If  still  losing  strength,  ho  must  have  added  to  tlieiu 
night  and  mornino;,  iVoni  three  to  four  di-ac-ii'iis  uf  linely 
])0\vdered  cas;'ari.la.  Injections  must  be  use  1  twice  a 
day  whilst  the  bowels  are  costive,  composed  of  half  an 
ounce  of  castile  soap,  t)  a  quart  of  water,  and  four 
ounces  of  e])Som  salts  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  warm  wa- 
ter, alternately.  The  throat  gargled  every  two  hours, 
with  a  tea  made  by  pouring  half  a  gallon  of  boiling  water 
on  six  drachms  of  capsicum,  and  when  cool,  add  a  pint  ot 
good  vinegar.  The  throat  externally  must  be  well  rubbed 
with  the  following  mixture,  three  or  four  times  a  day  : 
half  a  pint  spirits  of  hartshorn,  ditto  of  turpentine,  ditto 
of  camphor,  all  mixed  and  kept  well  corked.  If  the 
horse  is  down  and  unable   to  get  up,  he  must    be  helped 

WARTS. 

These  excrescences,  arising  from  the  cuticular  covering* 
of  the  skin,  are  sometimes  very  annoying  to  horses,  es- 
pecially when  occurring  about  the  eye,  sheath,  penis,  or 
on  parts  which  come  in  contact  w  ith  the  harness. 

Treatment. — A  wart  havmg  a  broad  base  shoidd  be 
treated  in  the  following  manner :  Take  a  common  suture 
needle,  and  arm  it  with  a  double  hgature;  each  ligature  is 
to  be  composed  ot  three  threads  of  saddler's  twine,  well 
waxed;  pass  the  needle  through  the  centre  of  the  wart, 
close  down  to  the  skin;  tie  each  half  separately;  with  a 
sitr(/eo)i's  knotyHS  tight  as  possible;  cut  the  end  otf  prctt}' 
close  to  the  knot,  and  in  the  course  ot  a  short  time  the 
wiiole  will  drop  otf.  A  wart  having  a  small  circumscribed 
pedicle  may  be  removed  in  the  same  vvMy,  by  tying  a  sin 


Slobbering  .  171 

gl.e  ligature  roimd  it?  Laso.  1  f  the  exposed  surface  should 
not  heal  readily,  moisten  them  occa/ioLally  with  tincture 
of  aloes  and  myrrh ;  and  if  they  show  a  disposition  to  ul- 
cerate, sprinkle  them  with  powdered  charcoal  and  blood- 
root,  equal  parts.  Warts  about  the  sheath  or  penis 
should  be  removed  by  incision  ;  to  do  this,  we  often  have 
to  cast  the  animal,  the  consequent  hemorage  to  be  arres- 
ted with  tincture  of  muriate  of  iron,  or  styptic. 
CRACKED  HEELS. 
This  is  a  very  common  affection  in  the  country,  and 
is  often  attended  with  lameness.  If  long  neglected,  an  of- 
fensive discharge  sets  up,  the  skin  becomes  tender,  the 
limb  temefied,  the  animal  loses  his  appetite  and  fails  in  flesh. 
Crack (d  beels  may  be  treated  on  the  same  principle  as 
scracl  •<.  To  releave  pain,  apply  a  tent  moistened  witl 
sulj^huric  ether. 

SLOBBERING. 

This  complaint  is  quite  common  in  rural  districts,  where 
clover  is  used  as  a  pasture.  LobeUa  or  tobacco  will  pro- 
duce the  same  results.  This  is  caused  by  irritation,  the 
article  coming  in  direct  contact  with  highly  sensitive  se- 
cretary surfaces,  which  always  pour  out  their  fluids  on  the 
apphcation  of  an  irritant,  so  long  as  it  remains  an  irri- 
tant, and  provided  the  parts  retain  their  normal  sensi- 
bility, or  through  the  medium  of  absorbents ;  thus,  calo- 
mel ynW  cause  the  s.divatory  gland  to  secrete  and  pour 
forth  an  amount  of  fluid  almost  incredible.  A  horse  will 
secrete  mux  e  liuta  one  and  a  half  gallons  of  fluid  per  hour. 
The  sharp  edges  of  a  worn-down  tooth,  or  a  tooth  in  a 
state  of  ulceration,  may  give  rise  to  profuse  salivation  ; 
then  again,  a  rough  bit,  and  a  hard  master  may  be  set 
do\\m  among  the  direct  causes  of  this  complaint.  In- 
different fodder  of  any  kind  and  impaired  digestive  or- 
gans, are  apt  to  produce  augmented  salivary  secretion. 

Treatment. — The  causes  should  be  sought  for,  and  if 
practicable,  removed.    This  may,  of  itself,  produce  relief. 


172  The  Hors?:  Farrier. 

If  the  trouble  can  be  traced  to  a  carous  tooth,  let  it  be 
extracted,  or  should  the  edges  of  a  tooth  irritate  the  in- 
side of  the  check,  apply  the  tooth  rasp,  and  make  ah 
smooth.  If  any  irritation  exists  about  the  glands  of  the 
throat  ar  *  mouth,  apply  a  stimulating  appUcation  to 
them,  Cumposed  of  hartshorn  and  olive  oil.  If  some- 
thing noxious  in  the  food,  give  the  following: 

Powdered  bayberry  bark,  powdered  myrrh,  powdered 
goldenseal,  powdered  ginger,  powdered  sulphur,  of  each 
1  ounce.  Mix  ;  divide  the  mass  into  eight  parts,  and  mix 
one  in  fine  feed,  gargles,  composed  of  decoction  of  witch 
hasel,  bayberry  bark,  tincture  gum  catechu,  and  a  solu- 
tion of  alum,  either  of  which  is  good,  when  an  astrin- 
gent is  indicated. 

No.  2.  Mix  a  table  spoonful  of  sulphur  in  salt,  give 
once  or  twice  a  week. 

No.  3.  Burdock  leaves  are  said  to  effect  a  cure. 
Horses  will  not  eat  them  only  when  they  are  troubled 
with  slobbers,  and  thus  eradicate  two  evUs  at    one    time. 

SPAVIN. 

This  is  a  very  common  and  formidable  disease  of  the 
hock,  and  we  have  but  little  to  offer  by  w^ay  of  cure,  and 
the  majority  of  cases  may  be  pronounced  incurable  ;  the 
lameness  may  be  in  part  or  entirely  cured,  but  the  spavin 
cannot  be  radically  removed.  The  principal  cause  of  the 
disease  may  be  found  in  breeding  from  old  b  roken  down 
spavin  mares  and  worthless  studs,  but  the  exciting  or 
immediate  cause,  is  strain,  injury,  over-work,  &q. 

The  weight  and  concussion  being  thrown  principally 
on  the  inner  splent-bone,  produce  inflammation  of  the 
cartilagenous  substance  that  unites  it  to  the  shank-bone. 
In  consequence  of  it,  the  cartilage  is  absorbed,  and  bone 
deposited ;  the  union  between  the  splent  bone  and  the 
shank  becomes  bony,  instead  of  cartilagenous ;  the  de- 
gree of  elastic  action  between  them  is  destroyed,  and 
there  is  formed  a  splent  of  the  hind  leg.  The  disposition 
to  form  bony  matter  having  commenced,  bone  continues 
to  be  deposited,  and  it  generally  appears  in  the  form  of 


Spavin.  173 

a  tumor,  where  the  head  of  the  splent-bone  is  united 
with  the  shank,  and  in  front  of  that  union.  This  is  called 
bone  spavin.  Inflammation  of  the  ligaments  of  any  of 
the  small  bones  of  the  hock,  proceeding  to  bony  tumor, 
would  equally  class  under  the  name  of  spavin  ;  but  com- 
monly, the  disease  commences  on  the  precise  spot  that 
has  been  described. 

Symptoms, — While  spavin  is  forming  there  is  generally 
lameness  and  sometimes  very  great  but  not  entirely  to  unfit 
him  for  work ;  the  lameness  sometimes  abates  and  entirely 
disappears,  by  a  little  exercise,  but  when  the  membrane 
of  the  bone  has  accommodated  itself  to  the  tumor  that 
extended  it,  lameness  subsides  or  disappears,  or  depends 
upon  the  degree  which  the  bony  deposit  interfered  with 
the  motion  of  the  joint.  Sometimes  there  is  no  tumor  ; 
then  if  a  sort  of  regular  lameness  has  existed  for  some 
months,  referable  to  no  other  joint  than  the  hock,  and  the 
difficulty  has  of  late  gradually  increased,  so  that  the  joint 
appears  stiff,  the  critter  is  there,  after  which  Ave  may 
expect  to  observe  a  tumor  on  the  inside  of  the  hock. 
A  tumor  once  formed  in  the  region  already  referred  to 
needs  no  v)ise  man  to  point  it  out ;  it  can  be  both  seen 
and  felt ;  and  this,  accompanied  with  hock  lameness  and 
ligamentary  tumefaction,  is  the  symptom  of  spavin  in  its 
exostotic  stage. 

Treatment. — The  remedy  iu  the  early  stage,  cold  water 
and  refrigerated  lotions;  in  the  latter  stages,  strong  iafusioD 
of  bay  berry  bark;  and  lastly,  brandy  and  salt,  perse  vcringly 
applied.  Congestion  may  be  treated  in  the  same  manner, 
aided  by  friction. 

The  horse,  as  soon  as  the  lameness  or  dry  signs  of  di* 
ease  are  perceptible,  should  have  rest,  and  cooling  appli- 
cations should  be  applied.  Dr.  Dadd  says :  Our  usual 
remedy  in  the  early  stage  is  muriatic  acid,  4  ounces,  water, 
2  quarts,  tincture  of  bioodroot,  6  ounces.  Applied  daily 
by  means  of  a  sponge,  as  follows  :  Take  a  piece  of  sponge, 


174  ■  The  HoKaE  Farkier. 

slightly  concave,  corresponding  as  nearly  as  possible  to  the 
form  and  size  of  the  hock ;  by  means  of  a  few  stitches, 
affix  two  pieces  of  tape  or  linen,  so  as  to  form^  an  X  ; 
each  piece  must  be  long  enough  to  encircle  the  joint  tw-o 
or  three  times  ;  after  dipping  the  sponge  in  the  mixture, 
it  must  be  applied  to  the  inside  of  the  hock,  and  there 
secured,  and  afterwards  kept  constantly  moist.  Dr. 
Spooner  says :  If  any  external  inflammation  is  pieseiit, 
we  cannot  do  better  than  commence  by  abstracting  blood 
from  the  vein  above,  and  use  cooUng  appHcations  to  the 
hock  ;  after  which  we  may  resort  to  the  bUster,  or  seton. 

WTNDGALLS. 

The  bursal  capsules,  located  just  above  the  fetlock,  as 
well  as  in  the  vicmity  of  the  hock,  secrete  a  synovial  fluid, 
corresponding  to  what  some  persons  tenn  ^^ joint  oil.,'''' 
the  use  of  which  is  to  ficilitate  motion.  In  cases  of  this 
the  use  of  which  is  to  facilitate  motion.  Counter  irritants,  bau- 
dage,  friction,  and  regular  exercise  are  good  remedys. 

Or  drive  a  piece  of  leather,  about  two  by  six  inches,  full  of 
tacks  one  fourth  of  an  inch  apart,  fasten  this  to  a  piece  of 
wood,  place  the  points  of  the  tacks  against  the  wingall,  give 
it  two  or  three  taps,  then  sponge  out  the  fluid.  Bandage  it 
with  linen,  and  saturate  it  with  camphor  twice  a  day.        1 7-4 

raxGBOis^E. 

Ringbone  is  a  deposit  of  bony  matter  in  one  of  the 
pasterns,  and  usually  near  the  joint.  It  rapidly  spreads, 
and  involves  not  only  the  pastern  bones,  but  the  cartila- 
ges of  the  foot,  and  spreading  aromid  the  pasterns  and 
cartilages,  thus  derives  its  name.  Ringbone  is  sometimes 
hereditary ;  though  it  is  usually  occasioned  by  a  strain 
taken  in  curvettmg,  bounding  turns,  and  violent  gallop- 
ing or  racing.  A  coarse  or  half-bred,  fleshy,  or  bony- 
legged  horse,  with  short  and  upright  pasterns  is  the  ordi- 
nary subject  of  this  disease. 

Tlie  treatment  will  be  similar  to  spavin,  in  reaUty  there 
is  no  cure,  but  the  lameness  may  be  in  a  great  measure 
removed  by  cooHng  apphcations,  cold  water  bandage,  lin- 
iments, and  above  all,  give  the  horse  rest. 

Prof.  Spooner  says :  The  best  treatment  for  ringbones 
after  the  inflammation  lias  been  in  great  measure  removed 


FODNDEK.  175 

by  cooling  applications,  is  to  well  rub  in  the  iodine  of  mer- 
cury ointment,  washing  off  the  effects  on  the  following 
day,  and  thus  repeating  it  again  and  again.  We  have  by 
such  means  succeeded  in  removing  the  lameness,  dimin- 
ishing the  enlargement,  and  restoring  the  animal,  in  many 
cases,  to  a  state  of  usefulness. 

FOUNDER  OR  ACUTE  RHEUMATISM. 

This  is  a  very  common  disease  among  horses.  Foun- 
der is  produced  by  driving  a  horse,  when  in  a  state  of 
perspiration,  into  a  pond,  exposing  him  to  cold  wind  or 
rain,  or  tying  him  up  in  the  stable  yard  while  the  hos- 
tler washes  his  legs  or  thighs,  and  sometimes  his  body ; 
but  excessive  exertion  alone  will,  and  often  does,  produce 
every  kind  of  founder. 

Symptoms. — The  earliest  symptoms  of  fever  m  the  feet 
are  fidgetyness,  frequent  shifting  of  the  fore-legs.  The 
pulse  is  quickened,  the  flanks  heavmg,  the  nostrils  red, 
and  the  horse,  by  his  anxious  countenance,  and  possibly 
moaning,  indicates  great  pain.  He  looks  about  as  if 
preparing  to  lie  down  ;  he  contmues  to  shift  his  weight 
from  foot  to  foot ;  he  is  afraid  to  draw  his  feet  sufficiently 
under  him  for  the  purpose  of  lying  down  ;  but  at  length 
he  drops.  His  quietness  when  down  will  distmguish  it 
from  colic  or  inflammation  of  the  bowels,  in  both  of 
which  the  horse  is  up  and  down,  and  frequently  rolling 
and  kicking  when  down.  When  the  grievance  is  in  the 
feet,  the  horse  experiences  so  much  relief,  from  getting 
rid  of  the  weight,  that  he  is  glad  to  lie  as  long  as  he  can. 
He  will  Ukewise,  as  clearly  as  in  inflammation  of  the  lungs 
or  bowels,  point  out  the  seat  of  disease,  by  looking  at  the 
part.  His  muzzle  will  often  rest  on  the  feet  or  the  affec- 
ted foot. 

The  feet  will  be  found  hot,  the  patient  mil  express 
pam  if  they  are  slightly  rapped  with  a  hammer,  and  the 
artery  at  the  pastern  will  throb  violently.  If  the  dis- 
ease is  sufiered  to  pursue  its  course,  he  will  be  perfectly 
unable  to  rise ;  or,  if  he  is  forced  to  get  up,  and  one  foot 
is  lifted,  he  will  stand  with  difficulty  on  the  others,  or 
perhaps  drop  at  once,  from  intensity  of  pain. 


176  The  Hoese  Farrier. 

Treatment. — ^Youatt  sa^^s,  bleeding  is  indispensable. 

If  the  disease  is  confined  to  the  fore-feet,  four  quarts  of 
blood  should  be  taken  as  soon  as  possible  from  the  toe  of 
each  ;  care  being  taken  to  open  the  artery  as  well  as  the 
vein.  The  feet  may  likewise  be  put  into  warm  water,  to 
quicken  the  flow  of  the  blood,  and  increase  the  quantity 
abstracted.  Poultices  of  linseed  meal,  made  very  soft, 
should  cover  the  whole  of  the  foot  and  pastern,  and  be 
frequently  renewed.  The  shoe  should  be  removed,  the 
sole  pared  as  thin  as  possible,  and  the  crust,  and  particu- 
larly the  quarters,  well  rasped.  This  must  be  done 
gently,  and  with  a  great  deal  of  patience.  Sedative  and 
/ooling  medicines  should  be  diligently  administered,  con- 
sisting of  digitalis,  nitre,  and  emetic  tartar.  About 
the  third  day  a  blister  may  be  tried,  taking  in  the  whole 
of  the  pastern  and  the  coronet,  and  washed  ofi'  the  fol- 
lov/ing  day,  and  repeated  several  times.  The  horse 
should  be  kept  on  mash  diet,  unless  green  meat  can  bo 
procured  ;  and  that  should  not  be  given  too  liberally. 
Linseed  tea,  and  water  acidulated  with  cream  of  tartar, 
Ibrm  the  best  drink  for  patients.  Yf  hen  the  season  will 
permit,  two  months'  run  at  grass  will  be  serviceable. 

CHRONIC    FOUNDER. 

The  principal  difference  between  this  and  the  acute 
disease  lies  in  the  less  activity  of  the  attack  and   inflam- 
matory fever,  and  the  indeiinite    duration  of  the  symp-^ 
toms ;  the  lameness  is  not  persistent,  but  goes  ofl'  atWr" 
exercise,  and  returns  again  while  the  animal  is  at  rest»- 

The  treatment  should  be  similar  to  that  recommended 
for  the  acute  disease — blood-letting,  poultices,  fomenta- 
tions, and  blisters,  and  the  last  much  sooner  and  much 
more  frequently  than  in  the  former  disease. 

CRAMP. 

This  is  a  sudden,  involuntary,  and  painful  spasm  of  a 
particular  muscle.  It  occasionally  attacks  the  muscles  of 
organic  life,  but  in  its  most  common  form  only  aflects  the 
hind  extremities,  where  it  is  observed  by  the  temporary 
lameness  and  stiffness  it  produces,  in  the  hardly  worked 


Sl'LKNT.  177 

horse,  as  he  is  first  led  out  of  the  stable  in  the  morning. 
If  any  lameness  remains,  Avhich  can  be  ascertained  by 
pressing  the  parts,  it  should  be  removed  by  hard  rubbing, 
or  by  giving  the  horse  a  wider  or  more  comfortable  stall, 
if  that  should  appear  to  be  the  origin  of  the  difficulty. 

SPLEXT. 

This  is  a  callous  or  osseous  tumor — growing  upon  one, 
or  contiguous  to  one,  of  the  splent  bones. 

A  splent  seldom  occasions  lameness,  except  in  the  pri- 
mary stage.  When  the  membrane  has  accommodated  it- 
self to  the  tumor,  the  lameness  subsides,  and  altogether 
disappears,  unless  the  splent  be  in  a  situation  in  which  it 
interferes  with  the  action  of  some  tendon  or  ligament,  or 
in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  a  joint. 

Treatment. — The  hair  should  be  closely  shaved  off 
round  the  tumor;  a  little  strong  mercurial  ointment 
rubbed  in  for  two  days  ;  and  this  followed  by  an  active 
blister.  If  the  splent  is  of  recent  formation,  it  will  gen- 
erally yield  to  this,  or  to  a  second  bUster. 

LAMENESS. 

Lameness  of  whatever  kind  should  have  prompt  atten- 
tion. However  trivial  it  may  appear,  it  may  end  in  a  chronic 
lameness  and  perhaps  in  spavin  or  ringbone.  If  the 
cause  is  not  clear  to  the  owner,  he  had  better  consult  one 
that  is  skilled,  though  it  may  cost  a  little  trouble  and 
money.  There  are  various  causes  and  kinds  of  lameness. 
It  frequently  arises  from  shoeing,  or  by  picking  up  some 
foreign  bodies.  Removing  the  cause,  will  generally  be  sufl 
ficient  to  effect  a  cure,  but  if  the  incision  is  deep,  dress 
with  fir  balsam,  or  mixed  soap  and  sugar.  In  stifle  joint 
lameness,  the  symptoms  are  heat  and  tenderness,  and 
the  limb  is  advanced  with,  difficulty ;  rest,  fomentations 
with  infusion  of  poppy  heads,  cold  water,  and  sometimes 
physic,  will  be  the  most  proper  means  of  cure.  For  chronic 
stifle  lameness,  originating  m  adhesions,  or  infiltrations 
of  the  surrounding  tissues,  a  few  apphcations  of  the  ace- 
tate of  cantharides  will  jjrobably  efiect  a  cure.  Lame- 
ness in  the  hock,  from  strain,  over-work,  or  blow,  is  evi- 


178         .  TiiK  HoKSK  Fakrier. 

dent  from  the  heat,  pain,  and  tumefaction  about  tlie  part  • 
the  animal  will  flinch  when  the  part  is  handled,  and  some- 
times catch  the  leg  up.  The  parts  should  be  kept  cool  by 
sponge,  and  the  horse  should  have  rest.  If  he  is  worked,  a 
it  may  prove  a  spavin.  In  lameness  of  the  shoulder,  the 
symptoms  are,  the  horse  moves  the  leg  in  a  circular  form 
instead  of  advances  forward,  and  the  action  of  one  shoul- 
der is  quite  diiferent  from  the  other  ;  the  animal  throws 
the  weight  of  the  body  as  much  on  the  sound  side  as 
possible. 

Treatment. — If  caused  by  heavy  drawing,  violent 
tugging,  or  galloping  on  roads,  rest,  fomentations,  and  a 
light  dose  of  medicine  are  indicated.  Should  the  animal 
still  be  lame  after  the  inflammatory  symptoms,  have  sub- 
sided, use  the  following  liniment :  Linseed  oil,  one  pint, 
^chloric  ether,  1  ounce,  oil  of  cedar,  half  an  ounce. 
Mix ;  and  apply  to  the  shoulder,  night  and  morning. 
If  the  disease  is  confined  to  the  joint,  blister,  or  stimu- 
lating Hniments  may  answer. 

elbjW   joint   lameness. 

The  symptoms  are  tenderness,  pain,  swelling,  heat, 
and  tumefaction  around  the  joint,  with  inability  of  free 
motion,  &c.  A  dose  of  cathartic  medicine,  if  high  heat 
prevails  in  the  surface  of  the  lame  region, — vinegar  and 
water — are  indicated.  Very  little  benefit  can  be  derived 
from  any  treatment,  unless  the  animal  be  kept  at  rest, 
and  on  a  light  diet.  In  the  greater  number  of  cases  of 
fracture,  it  w^ill  be  necessary  to  place  the  horse  under 
considerable  restraint,  or  even  to  suspend  or  sling  him. 
A  broad  piece  of  sail-cloth,  furnished  with  two  breecii- 
ings,  and  two  breast-girths,  is  placed  under  the  animal's 
belly,  and,  by  means  of  ropes  and  pulleys  attached  to  a 
cross  beam  above,  he  is  elevated  or  lowered  as  circum- 
stances may  require.  It  Avill  seldom  be  necessary  to  lift 
the  patient  quite  off  the  ground,  and  the  horse  will  be 
quietest,  and  most  at  his  ease,  when  his  feet  are  suifered 
just  to  touch  it.  The  head  is  confined  by  two  collar  ropes, 
and  the  head-stall  well  padded.  Many  horses  may  plunge 
about  and  be  diflicult  to  manage  at   first,  but  geneially 


^. 


Lameness. 


179 


e  -eaking,  it  is  not  long  ere  they  become  perfectly  pas 
sive. 

The  use  of  the  different  buckles  and  straps  which  are 
attached  to  the  sail-cloth  will  be  evident  on  inspection, 
ir  the  horse  exhibits  more  than  usual  uneasiness,  other 
rapes  may  be  attached  to  tne  corners  of  the  sail-clotli. 
This  will  aiford  considerable  relief  to  th?  pr^tient,  as  wei' 
as  add  to  the  security  of  tne  baiidi:ges. 

TOE  ^P.AOF, 

The  practice  is  first,  to  poohice.  ti.e  looi,  (supposing 
tlie  shoe  to  have  been  reraovedj  with  t\  view  of  sollenintr 
the  hoof  and  removing  any  extraneous  matter  that  mav 
have  insinuated  itself  mto  the  crack.  Av'hen  ihe  hoot  is 
sufficiently  softened,  it  should  be  cleansed,  examined, 
and  dressed  with  tincture  of  myrrh.  6eject  a  sput 
about  an  inch  below  the  coronet,  and  with  a  small  gini.tt 
bore  a  hole  through  tiie  two  edges  of  the  cracky  arid  an- 


180  The  Horse  Farrier. 

other  one  inch  above  the  toe.  A  straight  needle,  armed 
with  a  strong  hgature,  is  to  be  passed  through  the  upper 
noles,  brought  over  and  through  a  second  time ;  thus  clo- 
sing the  two  edges  of  the  fissure  by  what  the  sailors  term  a 
"  round  turn."  The  same  thing  is  to  be  repeated  at  the 
toe.  The  assistant,  by  the  aid  of  pincers  or  otherwise, 
shuts  the  crack  as  close  as  j^ossible  ;  the  ligatures  are  each 
drawn  tight,  and  tied  with  a  surgeon's  knot.  A  small 
quantity  of  blister  ointment  is  to  be  smeared  over  the 
crack,  and  bar  shoe  applied.  A  quarter  crack  may  be 
treated  in  a  similar  manner,  omitting,  however,  the 
sutures. 

After  the  edges  have  firmly  united,  cut  the  ligatures, 
and  pare  the  uneven  edges  of  the  cicatrix  level  with  the 
surrounding  parts,  and  the  cure  is  completed. 

SWELLED  LEGS. 

If  it  occurs  in  young  horses,  and  from  those  that  are 
over-fed  and  little  exercised,  sometimes  diuretics  or 
purgatives,  with  proper  management,  will  attbrd  relief, 
if  there  is  a  great  degree  of  stiffness  and  pain,  somtimes 
abscesses  appear.  Physic  or  diuretics,  or  both,  must  be  had 
recourse  to,  if  not  connected  with  diseases  and  gen- 
eral debility.  Mingle  cordial  with  diuretics.  Hay  ban- 
dages dipped  in  water  have  a  good  effect  for  the  agricul- 
tural horse. 

SCRATCHES. 

Swelled  legs,  although  distinct  from  grease,  is  a  disease 
that  is  apt  to  degenerate  into  it.  Scratches  is  a  specific 
inflammation  of  the  skin  and  heels,  sometunes  of  the  fore- 
feet, but  oftener  of  the  hinder  ones.  The  principal  cause 
of  the  disease  is,  neglected  grooming  and  care,  want  of 
exercise,  high  feeding,  washing  the  feet  and  leaving  them 
to  dry.  The  prevention  will  be  proper  ventilation,  good 
stabling,  grooming,  and  proper  care.  It  is  more  likely  to 
affect  horses  with  white  feet  than  others.  Some  consider 
the  disease  contagious. 

Symptoms. — The  first  is  heat  and  tenderness.  On  ap- 
plying the  hand  to  the  heel  and  fetlock,  the  parts  will  be 
found  hot,  and  under  pressure,  the  animal  will   evince 


ScR  ACHES.  181 

signs  of  pain.  As  the  disease  progresses,  the  parts  be- 
come swollen, — infiltrated  with  serum, — thus  inereasing 
the  inflammatory  symptoms,  and  causing  the  animal  much 
pam,  which  he  usually  evinces  by  occasionally  catching 
up  the  foot  ^  the  hairs  stand  out  horizontally.  When 
the  disease  attacks  both  hind  legs,  the  pain  is  somethnes 
intense,  especially  if  the  horse  be  plethoric,  or  his  system 
is  charged  with  morbid  humors.  In  the  latter  case,  the 
greasy  discharge  is  very  profuse  ;  for  the  pent-up  waste 
matters  have  now  found  an  outlet,  which  admit  of  a  free 
discharge  of  the  fluids  of  the  body. 

Treatment. — Attention  must  first  be  paid  to  diet,  ven- 
tilation and  cleanhness.  The  heels  should  be  gently 
washed  with  castile  soap  and  water,  and  ointment  ap- 
plied in  more  advanced  cases.  Poultice  with  linseed  meal 
or  carrots,  boiled  and  mashed,  may  be  applied,  adding  a 
little  astringent  lotions  to  renew  the  irritation,  and  check 
the  discharge — give  the  cleansing  powder.  The  follow- 
ing will  also  be  found  beneficial  which  has  been  highly 
recommended,  by  Prof.  Norton,  and  others :  Pyrolig- 
neous  acid.  Unseed  oil,  turpentine,  of  each  equal  parts. 
Mix ;  first  wash  with  water  and  castile  soap ;  alter  wiping 
them  dry,  apply  the  mixture.  Repeat  night  and  morn- 
ing. In  order  to  keep  down  "proud  flesh,"  the  parts 
may  be  sprinkled  daily  with  burnt  alum.  Put  on  a  good 
coating;  cover  the  sore  with  dry  lint,  and  apply  a  ban- 
dage over  all.  Bandages  should  always  be  dispensed  with, 
if  possible. 

POULTRY   LOUSINESS. 

Horses  frequently  become  infected  with  lice  from  poul- 
try, having  the  roosting  place  adjoining  the  stalls.  When 
this  is  discovered,  the  preventive  mil  be  to  remove  the 
roosting    place,  and   scald   and  w^hitewash   the     stable. 

Symptom. — The  horse  is  seized  with  violent  itching, 
shows  a  disposition  to  rub  and  bite  himself,  strike  his 
belly,  is  not  easy  for  a  moment,  at  night  his  torment  in- 
creases, after  this  his  skhi  loosens,  his  hah-  and  main  some- 
times break  out  with  eruptions. 

Treatment. — In  order  to  destroy  the  vermin,  and  at 


182  Thk  Horse  Fakrier. 

the  same  time  to  cure  the  cutaneous  eruptions,  and  res- 
tore the  hair,  take  linseed  oil,  one  ounce,  pyroligneous 
acid,  3  ounces,  spirits  of  turpentine,  1  ounce.  Two  or 
thi-ee  applications  of  this  compound  will  generally  suffice. 
The  parts  to  which  the  application  has  been  made  must 
be  washed  with  soap  and  water.  The  vermin  can  also  be 
destroyed  by  sponging  the  body  with  an  infusion  of 
lobeUa. 

HIDE    BOUND. 

Tliis  term  is  applied  to  horses  whose  coat  are  stariiig^ 
and  skin  tight  on  the  ribs  and  otherwise  out  of  condition. 
It  is  not  so  much  of  a  disease  as  a  symptom  of  a  disease, 
particularly  of  the  digestive  organs.  Every  disease  that 
can  effect  the  general  system  may  produce  this.  Glan- 
ders, scratches,  chronic  cough,  farcy  Ibunder,  are  accom- 
panied by  hide  bound.  Diet  too  sparing,  or  w^ant  of  change 
in  diet,  is  an  unfailing  source  of  it ;  if  the  cause  is  removed, 
the  effect  will  follow. 

Treatment. — If  no  disease  appears  about  the  horse, 
change  the  diet,  clothe  the  body  warmly,  give  a  few 
mashes,  and  a  mild  physic,  or-give  alteratives,  and  there 
is  none  better  than  thnt  which  is  in  common  use,  pulver- 
ized antimony,  nitre  and  sulphur.  Should  the  horse  not 
f-ed  weii,  and  there  is  no  fever,  a  slight  tonic  mav  be 
g:venof  ginger.     Friction  may  be  used  to  advantage. 

GLANDERS. 

This  is  the  most  formidable  of  all  the  diseases  to  v.hich 
tlie  horse  is  subject.  This  disease  is  spontanous  with 
the  horse  only.  In  other  animals,  it  is  the  result  of  con- 
tagion. In  the  horse,  it  is  the  result  of  injuries  of  some 
kind,  acting  upon  and  weakening  the  vital  energies  of 
tiie  lining  membrane  of  the  nose.  It  is  often  the  conse- 
quence of  catarrh,  influenza,  distemper,  and  long-continu- 
ed discharge  from  the  nose. 

They  have  been  produced  by  the  mjection  of  stimula- 
ting and  acrid  substance  up  the  nostiil.  No  disease  will 
run  on  tu  glanders  which  has  not,  to  a  considerable  and 
pi.^iaO.j  tiogree,  impaired  and  broken  down  the  constitu 


Glanders.  183 

tion ;  and  every  disease  that  does  this  will  run  on  to  glan- 

ders. 

Glanders  are  highly  contagious.  If  the  discharge  from 
the  nostrils  of  a.  glandered  horse  is  rubbed  on  a  wound, 
or  on  a  mucus  surface,  like  the  nostrils,  it  will  produce  a 
similar  disease. 

If  some  persons  underrate  the  danger,  it  is  because  the 
disease  mav  remain  unrecognized  in  the  infected  horse  for 
some  months,  or  even  years,  and  therefore,  when  it  ap- 
pears, it  is  attributed  to  other  causes.  No  glandered 
horse  should  be  employed  on  any  farm,  nor  should  a  glan- 
dered horse  be  permitted  to  work  on  any  road,  or  even 
to  pasture  on  any  field.     He  should  be  destroyed. 

It  is  capable  of  being  communicated  to  the  human  be- 
ing, and,  indeed,  there  have  been  very  many  deaths  from 
this  cause,  and  most  horrible  deaths  they  are.  It  is  gen- 
erally by  means  of  some  cut  or  abrasion,  which  comes  in 
contact  with  the  glandered  matter,  that  the  infection  is 
communicated.  The  utmost  caution  should,  therefore,  be 
exercised  by  the  attendants. 

The  stair  and  fences  may  receive  the  glanderous  mat- 
ter ;  and  hardening  on  them,  it  may  months  afterwards 
communicate  the  disease  to  horses,  sheep  and  cattle. 

The  earUest  symptom  of  glanders  is  an  mcreased  dis- 
charge from  the  nostril,  smaU  in  quantity,  constantly  flow- 
ing, of  a  watery  character,  and  a  httle  mucus  mmgling 
with  it. 

It  is  a  common  and  very  mischievous  error  to  suppose 
that  this  discharge  is  sticky,  when  it  first  makes  its  ap- 
pearance. It  is  mucus,  but  small  and  constant  discharge, 
and  is  thus  distinguished  from  catarrh,  or  nasal  gleet,  or 
any  other  discharge  from  the  nostril. 

The  peculiar  stickiness  and  gluiness  supposed  to  dis- 
tmguish  the  discharge  of  glanders  from  all  other  mucus 
and  prevalent  secretions  belongs  to  the  second  stage  of 
the  disease,  and,  for  many  months  before  this,  glanders 
may  have  existed  m  an  insidious  and  highly  contagious 
form.  It  must  be  acknowledged,  however,  that,  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  some  degree  of  stickiness  does  charac- 
12 


184  The  Horse  Farrieb. 

terize  the  discharge  of  glanders  from  a  very  early  pe- 
riod. 

It  is  a  singular  circumstance,  that  when  one  nostril 
alone  is  attacked,  it  is,  in  a  great  majority  of  cases,  the  left. 

This  discharge  may  continue  in  so  slight  a  degree  as  to 
be  scarcely  perceptible,  for  many  months,  or  even  two  oi 
three  years,  unattended  by  any  other  disease,  even  ul- 
ceration of  the  nostril,  and  yet  the  horse  being  decided- 
ly glandered  from  the  beginning,  and  capable  of  propa- 
gating the  malady.  In  process  of  time,  however,  it  ming- 
les with  the  discharge,  and  then  another  and  a  charac- 
teristic symptom  appears.  Some  of  this  is  absorbed,  and 
the  neighboring  glands  become  affected.  If  there  is 
discharge  from  both  nostrils,  the  glands  within  the  imder 
jaw  will  be  on  both  sides  enlarged.  If  the  discharge  is 
from  one  nostril  only,  the  swelled  gland  will  be  found  on 
that  side  alone.  Glanders,  however,  will  frequently  ex- 
ist at  an  early  stage,  without  these  swelled  glands,  and 
some  other  diseases,  as  catarrh,  will  produce  them.  Then 
we  must  look  out  for  some  peculiarity  about  these 
glands,  and  we  shall  readily  find  it.  The  swelling  may 
be  at  first  somewhat  large  and  diffused,  but  the  surround- 
ing enlargement  soon  goes  off,  and  one  or  two  small,  dis- 
tinct glands  remain ;  and  they  are  not  in  the  centre  of 
the  channel,  but  adhere  closely  to  the  jaw  on  the  affected 
side. 

The  membrane  of  the  nose  should  now  be  examined, 
and  will  materially  guide  our  opinion.  It  will  either  be 
of  a  dark  purplish  hue,  or  almost  of  a  leaden  color,  or  of 
any  shade  between  the  tvro  ;  or  if  there  is  some  redness 
of  inflammation,  it  will  have  a  purple  tinge.  Spots  of  ul- 
ceration will  probably  appear  on  the  membrane  cover- 
the  cartilage  of  the  nose — small  ulcers,  usually  approach- 
ing to  a  circular  form,  deep,  and  Tvdth  the  edges  abrupt 
and  prominent.  When  these  appearances  are  observed, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  about  the  matter. 

When  ulcers  begin  to  appear  on  the  membrane  of  the 
nose,  the  constitution  of  the  horse  is  soon  evidently  af- 
fected. The  patient  loses  flesh — his  belly  is  tucked  up, 
his  coat  unthrifty,  and  readily  coming  off — the  appetite 


Farcy.  185 

is  impaired— the  strength  fails— cough,  more  or  less  iir- 
gent,  may  be  heard — the  discharge  from  the  nose  will  m- 
crease  in'quantity ;  it  will  be  discolored,  bloody,  offensive 
to  the  smell— the  ulcers  in  the  nose  will  become  larger 
and  more  numerous,  and  the  air-passages  being  obstruct- 
ed, a  grating,  choking  noise  will  be  heard  at  every  act  of 
breathing.  "There  is" now  a  pecuhar  tenderness  about  the 
forehead.  Farcy  is  now  superadded  to  glanders,  or  glan- 
ders has  degenerated  into  farcy,  and  more  of  the  absorb- 
ents are  involved. 

At  or  before  this  time  Httle  tumors  appear  about  the 
muscles,  and  face,  and  neck,  followmg  the  course  of  the 
veins  and  the  absorbents,  for  they  run  side  by  side ;  and 
these  tumors  soon  ulcerate.  Tumors  or  buds,  still  pur- 
suing the  path  of  the  absorbents,  soon  appear  on  the 
mside  of  the  thighs.  They  are  connected  together  by  a 
corded  substance,  and  ulceration  quickly  follows  the  ap- 
pearance of  these  buds.  The  deeper  seated  absorbents 
are  next  affected;  and  one  or  both  of  the  hind-legs  swell 
to  a  great  size,  and  become  stiff',  and  hot,  and  tender. 
The  loss  of  flesh  and  strength  is  more  marked  every  day. 
The  membrane  of  the  nose  becomes  of  a  dirty  livid  col- 
or. The  membrane  of  the  mouth  is  strangely  palhd. 
The  eye  is  infiltrated  with  a  yellow  fluid ;  and  the  dis- 
charge from  the  nose  becomes  more  profuse,  and  insuflera- 
bly  offensive.  The  animal  presents  one  mass  of  putre- 
faction, and  at  last  dies,  exhausted. 

Treatment. — In  well  settled  cases  of  this  disease  and 
farcy,  it  is  not  w^orth  while  to  attempt  any  remedies. 
The  chances  of  cure  are  too  remote,  and  the  danger  of 
infection  too  great.  The  horse  should  be  dispatched  at 
once. 

If,  how^ever,  remedial  measures  are  resorted  to,  a  pure 
atmosphere  should  be  tried ;  and  if  practicable,  keep  on 
green  food.  If  this  cannot  be  had,  substitute  it  by  boiled 
carrots,  beets,  and  turnips,  thickened  with  shorts  or  fine 
feed.     Give  all  the  salt  the  horse  will  eat.     See  receipts. 

EAKCT. 

Authorities  define  farcy  to  be  a  disease  of  the  lym- 


186  The  Horse  Farrier. 

phatic  vessels,  making  its  appearance  in  the  forai  of 
circular  spellings,  termed  farcy  buds^  which  terminate  in 
a  discharge  and  ulceration. 

The  causes  of  farcy  exist  in  any  thing  that  deranges 
the  lymj^hatie  system;  and  probably  the  same  causes 
that  operate,  either  by  contagion  or  otherAvise,  to  pro- 
duce glanders,  will  produce  farcy.  "  By  inoculation, 
tarcy  has  been  produced  by  the  matter  of  glanders,  and 
glanders  by  the  matter  of  farcy;  and,  consequently, 
there  is  every  reason  to  infer  a  similarity,  or  rather  an 
identity,  in  the  virus  of  the  two  diseases ;  one  disease, 
or  form  of  disease,  almost  invariably  temiinates  in  the 
other,  prior  to  dissolution.  There  can  be  no  question 
but  that  the  same  contaminated  atmosphere  of  the  stable 
or  elsewhere,  which  produces  glanders,  may  occasion  far- 
cy, and  vice  versa. ''^ 

Syynptoms. — The  horse  is  not  in  his  usual  spirits,  ap- 
pears dull  and  does  not  partake  of  food  with  his  accus- 
tomed relish.  Some  horse's  pulse  will  be  quicker  than 
natural,  mouth  hot,  urine  high-colored,  &c. ;  others  are 
suddenly  attacked  with  a  swollen  leg.  So  sudden,  sharj), 
and  severe  are  attacks  of  farcy  in  some  instances,  that  in 
the  course  of  one  night,  the  horse's  limb  will  be  swollen 
to  a  frightful  size,  so  as  to  incapacitate  him  almost  from 
turning  in  his  stall  and  walking  out  of  the  stable. 

"  Viewing  the  aftected  limb  from  behind,  we  perceive 
a  fulness  on  the  inside  of  the  thigh,  along  the  course  of 
the  femoral  vem  ;  and  the  application  of  our  finger  to 
this  will  immediately  detect  a  corded,  nodous  swelling, 
which  has  been  happily  enough,  m  the  sensation  it  con- 
veys to  our  feel,  compared  to  a  ''cord  vnth  so  many  knots 
tied  in  it. '  This  is  at  once  evidence  of  the  presence  of 
farcy. 

'•  Tracing  the  cord  upward  from  its  place  of  origin, 
v>iiich  commonly  is  above  the  hock,  the  hand  is  carried 
into  the  groin,  and  there  discovers  a  lobulated  tumor,  a 
swelling  of  the  ingumal  glands,  called  a  bubo;  some- 
times, however,  the  bubo  does  not  make  its  appearance 
untU  after  the  full  developement  of  the  cord." 


Poll  Evil.  187 

The  first  stage  of  farcy  is  tumification  of  the  lym- 
phatics—" development  of  the  farcy  bud." 

The  second  stage  is  commonly  a  suppurative  one,  ter- 
minating m  a  farcy  ulcer.  After  passing  through  these 
two  stages,  the  disease  may,  and  frequently  does,  termi- 
nate in  glanders.  When  it  attacks  horses  in  good  condi- 
tion, some  hopes  may  be  entertained  of  a  cure.  "  No 
swelling  of  a  hind  limb  (or  any  other  part)  constitutes 
a  case  of  farcy  apart  from  the  unequivocal  signs  of  lym- 
phatic disease  ;  there  must  be  present  corded,  nodulated 
swelHngs, — huds  in  some  form  or  other, — together  with 
actual  or  approaching  tumefacation  of  the  lymphatic 
glands,  or  the  case  is  not  farcy." 

poll  evil  and  fistula  withers. 

Poll  evil  generally  makes  its  appearance  about  the  nape 
of  the  neck  in  the  form  of  a  swelling,  and  if  not  arrested, 
ends  m  abscess  and  fistula.  It  generally  proceeds  from 
blows  and  bruises,  strikuig  the  poll  agamst  the  ceiling  or 
beams,  jerking  the  head  upwards,  and  commg  in  contact 
with  the  head-stalls.  Excessive  friction,  the  bungling  and 
cruel  manner  of  putting  on  small  collars,  &c.,  are  the 
principal  causes  of  this  complaint.  It  results  either  from 
neglect  or  abuse. 

Poll  e\il  is  first  noticed  in  the  form  of  an  oval  tumor, 
hot  and  tender,  situated  directly  in  the  region  of  the 
nape,  mostly  inclining  to  one  side  ;  in  the  suppurative  stage, 
and  when  the  matter  is  deep-seated,  scarcely  any  fluctua- 
tion can  be  felt ;  when,  however,  the  matter  lies  directly 
beneath  the  skin,  or  in  the  cellular  tissues,  the  reverse  is 
the  case.  The  suppurative  finally  runs  into  the  ulcerative 
stage;  we  then  observe  chasms  and  sinuses,  similar  to 
those  observed  in  fistula  of  the  withers,  and  finally  the 
bones  become  involved  in  the  disease. 

Fistula  of  the  withers  does  not  difier  from  poll  evil- 
except  in  location,  but  is  more  frequent.  It  arises  in  con. 
sequence  of  the  withers  being  more  exposed  to  injury- 
Fistula  is  the  more  formidable  ;  for  the  sinuses  often  bur- 
row deep  between  the  shoulder  blade  and  spinous  pro- 
cesses, in  various  directions,  so  that  it  becomes  both  dif- 
ficult and  dangerous  to  search  for  them.  For  the  treat- 
ment of  fistula  and  poll  evil,  see  receiptg. 


188 


Medicines. 


A  LIST  OF  THE  MEDICINES  AND  RECIPES  USED  IN  THE  TREAT- 
MENT OF  THE  DISEASES  OF  THE  HORSE. 


Vinegar  is  a  very  useful  ap- 
plication for  sprains  and  bruises. 
Equal  parts  of  boiling  water  and 
cold  vinegar  will  form  a  good 
fomentation. 

Spirit  of  Salt. — This  acid  is 
formed  by  the  action  of  sulphu 
ric  acid  on  common  salt.  It  is 
decidedly  the  best  liquid  caustic 
we  have.  For  corns,  canker,  in- 
disposition in  the  sole  to  secrete 
good  horn,  wounds  in  the  foot 
not  attended  by  healtliy  action. 

Nitric  Acid. — This  is  a  valua- 
ble external  application.  It  is 
both  a  caustic  and  an  anti-septic. 
It  destroys  fungous  excrescences. 

Sulphuric  Acid,  or  Oil  of  Vit- 
riol.— When  mixed  with  tar,  an 
ounce  to  the  pound,  it  is  a  good 
application  for  the  thrush  and 
canker  :  a  smaller  quantity-,  mix- 
ed with  olive  oil,  makes  a  good 
stimulating  liniment. 

Aloks. — There  are  two  kinds 
used  in  horse  practice,  the  Bar- 
badoes  and  the  Cape.  The  Bar- 
badoes  aloes  have  a  greater  pur- 
gative power  than  the  Cape,  ex- 
clusive of  griping  less  and  being 
safer,  and  the  action  of  the  bow- 
els is  kept  up  longer. 

Alum, — is  used  internally  in 
cases  of  over-purging,  in  the  form 
of  alum-whey,  two  drachms  of 
the  powder  being  added  to  a  pint 
of  hot  milk.  Its  principal  use  is 
external.  A  solution  of  two 
drachms  to  a  pint  of  water  forms 
alone,  or  with  the  addition  of  a 
small  quantity  of  white  vitriol, 
a  very  useful  wash  for  cracked 
heels,  and  for  grease  generally  ; 
and  also  for  those  forms  of  swel- 
led legs  attended  with  exudation 
of  moisture  through  the  skin. 


Anodtnes.^ — Opium  is  the  only 
drug  that  will  lull  pain.  It  may 
be  given  as  an  anodyne,  but  it 
will  also  be  an  astringent  in 
doses  of  1,  2,  or  3  drachms. 

Camphor. — It  diminishes  the 
frequency  of  the  pulse,  and  sof- 
tens its  tone.  When  long  ex- 
hibited, it  acts  on  the  kidneys. 
Externally  applied,  it  is  said  to 
be  a  discutient  and  an  anodyne 
for  chronic  sprains,  bruises  and 
tumors. 

Spanish  Flies, — are  the  basis 
of  the  most  approved  and  useful 
veterinary  blisters.  An  infusion 
of  two  ounces  of  the  flies  in  a 
pint  of  oil  of  turpentine,  for  sev- 
eral days,  IS  occasionally  used 
as  a  liquid  blister;  and,  when 
sufficiently  lowered  with  com- 
mon oil,  it  is  called  a  sweating 
oil.  They  have  been  recom- 
mended for  the  cure  of  glanders. 
The  dose  is  from  five  to  eight 
grains  given  daily,  but  withheld 
for  a  day  or  two  when  diuresis 
supervenes. 

Guinea  Pepper. — Thej'' are  val- 
uable as  stimulants.  Their  bene- 
ficial effect  in  cases  of  cold  has 
seldom  been  properly  estimated. 
The  dose  is  from  a  scruple  to 
half  a  drachm. 

Caraway  Seeds. — These  and 
ginger,  alone  or  combined,  are 
the  best  stimulants  used  in  horse 
practice. 

Castor  Oil  —  is  an  expensive 
medicine.  It  must  be  given  in 
large  doses. 

Japan  Earth — is  a  very  useful 
astringent.  It  is  given  in  over- 
purging,  in  doses  of  one  or  two 
drachms,  with  opium. 

Charcoal — is  occasionally  used 


Mediciin^es. 


189 


Rs  an  antiseptic,  being  made  into 
a  poultice  with  linseed  meal,  and 
applied  to  foul  and  offensive  ul- 
cers, and  to  cracked  heels. 

Yeudigris  i3  usefully  applied 
externally  as  a  mild  caustic. 
Either  alone,  in  the  form  of  fine 
powder,  or  mixed  with  an  equal 
quantity  of  the  su2:ar  of  lead,  it 
eats  down  proud  fiesh,  or  stimu- 
lates old  ulcers  to  healthy  action. 
When  boiled  with  honey  and 
vinegar,  it  constitutes  the  far- 
rier's Egyptiacimi,  certainly  of 
benefit  in  cankered  or  ulcerated 
mouth,  and  no  bad  application 
for  thrushes. 

Blue  Vitriol. — It  is  a  favorite 
tonic  with  many  practitioners. 
It  is  principally  valuable  as  an 
external  application,  dissolved  in 
water  in  the  proportion  of  two 
drachms  to  a  pint,  and  acting  as 
a  gentle  stimulant.  If  an  ounce 
is  dissolved  in  the  same  quanti- 
ty of  water,  it  becomes  a  mild 
caustic.  In  the  former  propor- 
tion, it  rouses  old  ulcers  to  a 
healthy  action,  and  disposes  even 
recent  wounds  to  heal  more 
quickly  than  they  otherwise 
would  do;  and  in  the  latter  it 
removes  fungous  granulations  or 
proud  flesh.  It  is  also  a  good 
application  for  canker  in  the  foot. 

Creosote — is  much  valued  on 
account  of  its  antiseptic  proper- 
ties and  8toi)ping  hemorrhages. 
It  is  both  a  stimulant  and  a  ton- 
ic. In  an  undiluted  state,  it  acts 
as  a  caustic.  In  the  form  of  a 
lotion,  a  liniment,  or  an  ointment, 
it  has  been  useful  in  farcy  and 
glanders,  also  in  foot-rot,  canker 
and  thrush.  As  a  caustic,  it  acts 
as  a  powerful  stimulant 

Digitalis  —  Fox-Gtlove.  — The 
leaves  of  the  common  fox-glove, 


gathered  about  the  flowering 
time,  dried  carefully  in  a  dark 
place,  and  powdered,  and  kept 
in  a  close  black  bottle,  form  one 
of  the  most  valuable  medicines 
in  veterinary  practice.  It  is  a 
direct  and  powerful  sedative,  di- 
minishing the  frequency  of  the 
pulse,  and  the  general  irritabil- 
ty  of  the  system,  and  acting  also 
as  a  mild  diuretic :  it  is,  there- 
fore, useful  in  every  inflamma- 
tory and  febrile  complaint,  and 
particularly  in  inflammation  of 
the  chest.  It  is  usually  given  in 
combination  with  emetic  tartar 
and  nitre.  The  average  dose  is 
one  drachm  of  digitalis,  one  and 
a  half  of  emetic  tartar,  and  three 
of  nitre,  repeated  twice  or  thrice 
in  a  day. 

Diuretics — constitute  a  useful 
class  of  medicines.  They  stimu- 
late the  kidneys  to  secrete  more 
than  the  usual  quantity  of  urine, 
or  to  separate  a  greater  than  or- 
dinar}^  proportion  of  the  watery 
parts  of  the  blood. 

In  swelled  legs,  cracks,  grease, 
or  accumulation  of  fluid  in  any 
part, and  in  those  superficial  erup- 
tions and  inflammations  which 
are  said  to  be  produced  by  hu- 
mors floating  in  the  blood,  diuret 
ics  are  evidently  beneficial ;  but 
tliey  should  be  as  mild  as  possi- 
ble, and  not  oftener  given  or  con- 
tinued longer  than  the  case  re- 
quires. 

Gentian  stands  at  the  head  of 
the  vegetable  tonics,  and  is  a 
stomachic,  as  well  as  a  tonic — 
Four  drachms  of  gentian,  two  of 
chamomile,  one  of  carbonate  of 
iron,  and  one  of  ginger,  will 
make  an  excellent  tonic  ball.  An 
infusion  of  gentian  is  one  of  the 
best  applications  to  putrid  ulcers. 


190 


Medicines. 


GixGER — is  as  valuable  as  a 
cordial,  as  gentian  is  as  a  tonic. 
It  is  the  basis  of  the  cordial  ball, 
and  it  is  indispensable  in  the 
tonic  ball. 

Helebore,  black. — This  is  used 
mostly  as  a  local  application,  and 
as  such  it  is  a  very  powerful 
stimulant. 

Injections. — See  Clysters. 
Iodine.  — This  is  one  of  the 
most  valuable  drugs  used  in  the 
veterinary  practice.  It  is  used 
in  reducing  every  species  of  tu- 
mors. It  is  used  in  various  forms. 
Iodine  of  potassium  is  best  ad- 
ministered internally,  as  a  pro- 
moter of  absorption.  Combined 
with  the  sulphate  of  copper,  it 
forms  a  powerful  and  useful  ton- 
ic ;  whilst  in  the  form  of  iodine 
of  mercury,  and  combined  with 
lard  or  palm  oil,  it  becomes  a 
powerful  blister,  and  a  useful 
promoter  of  absorption. 

Chloride  of  Lime  is  exceeding- 
ly valuable.  Diluted  with  twen- 
ty times  its  quantity  of  water, 
it  helps  to  form  the  poultice  ap- 
plied to  offensive  discharges. — 
The  foetid  smell  of  fistulous  with- 
ers, poll-evil,  canker,  and  ill- 
conditioned  wounds,  is  imme- 
diately removed,  and  the  ulcers 
are  more  disposed  to  heal. 

Linseed  is  often  used  instead 
of  water,  for  the  drink  of  the 
horse  with  sore  throat  or  catarrh, 
or  disease  of  the  urinary  organs, 
or  of  the  bowels. 

Mashes, — constitute  a  very  im- 
portant part  of  horse-provender, 
w4iether  in  sickness  or  health. 

Mustard  Sinapis. — This  will  be 

found  useful,  if,  in  inflammation 

of  the  chest  or  bowels,  it  is  well 

rubbed  on  the  cliest  or  abdomen. 

Nitrous  Ether,  Spirit  of, —  is 


a  very  useful  medicine  in  the  ad 
vanced  stages  of  fever. 

Opium, — However  underrated 
by  some,  is  a  valuable  drug  ;  but 
it  is  a  powerful  antispasmodic, 
sedative  and  astringent. 

Palm  Oil,— is  the  very  best 
substance  that  can  be  used  for 
making  masses  and  balls. 

Pitch. — The  best  plaster  for 
sand-crack  consists  of  one  pound 
of  pitch  and  an  ounce  of  yellow 
beeswax  melted  together. 

Kitrate  of  Potash  (Nitre)  is  a 
valuable  cooling  medicine  and  a 
mild  diuretic,  and  therefore  it 
should  enter  into  the  composition 
of  every  fever-ball.  Dose  is  from 
two  to  four  drachms. 

Poultices. — Few  horsemen  are 
aware  of  the  value  of  these  sim- 
ple applications  in  abating  inflam- 
mation, relieving  pain,  cleansing 
wounds,  and  disposing  them  to 
to  heal.  Linseed  meal  forms  the 
best  general  poultice,  because  it 
longest  retains  the  moisture. 

Sedatives, — are  medicines  that 
subdue  irritation,  repress  spas- 
modic action,  or  deaden  pain. — 
Digitalis,  hellebore,  opium,  tur- 
pentine, are  medicines  of  this 
kind. 

Sugar  of  Lead,  —  See  under 
Lead  . 

Sulphur. — It  is  an  excellent 
alterative,  combined  usually  with 
antimony  and  nitre,  and  particu- 
larly for  mange,  surfeit,  grease, 
hide-bound,  or  want  of  condition; 
and  it  is  a  useful  ingredient  in 
the  cough  and  fever  ball. 

Tar, — melted  with  an  equal 
quantity  of  grease,  forms  a  good 
stopping  of  the  farrier.  But  its 
principal  virtue  seems  to  consist 
in  preventing  the  penetration  of 
dirt  and  water  to  the  wounded 


Receipts. 


191 


part ;  and  is  used  with  the  usual 
cough  medicine,  and  in  doses  of 
two  or  three  drachms  for  chronic 
cough. 

Turpentine — is  one  of  the  best 
diuretics,  in  doses  of  half  an 
ounce,  and  made  into  a  ball  with 
linseed  meal  and  powdered  gin- 
ger. The  oil  of  turpentine  is  an 
excellent  antispasmodic.  For  the 
removal  of  colic,  it  stands  unri- 
valled. 

Zinc — Calamine  Powder. — Five 
parts  of  lard  and  one  of  resin  are 
melted  together,  and  when  these 
begin  to  get  cool,  two  parts  of 
the  calamine,  reduced  to  an  im- 
palpable powder,  are  stirred  in. 
If  the  wound  is  not  healthy,  a 
small  quantity  of  common  tur- 
pentine may  be  added.  This 
salve  justly  deserves  the  name 
which  it  has  gained,  "The  Heal- 
ing Ointment."  The  calamine 
is  sometimes  sprinkled  with  ad- 
vantage on  cracked  heels  and  su- 
perficial sores. 


BEOEIPTS. 

Wonderful  Liniment. — 2  oun- 
ces oil  of  spike,  2  do  organum,  2 
do  hemlock,  2  do  wormwood,  4  do 
sweet  oil,  2  do  spts.  ammonia,  2 
do  gum  camphor,  2  do  spts.  tur- 
pentine, and  one  quart  of  proof 
spts,  95  per  cent,  mix  well  to- 
gether, and  bottle  tight. 

For  sprains,  bruises,  lameness, 
&c.,  &c.,  the  above  liniment  can- 
not be  equalled,  and  is  actually 
worth  $100  to  any  person  keep- 
ing valuable  horses.  Omit  the 
turpentine  and  you  have  the  best 
liniment  ever  made  for  human 
ails,  such  as  rheumatism,  sprains  ; 


and  whenever  an  outward  ap. 
plication  is  required,  try  it  and 
prove  its  virtues.  It  acts  like 
magic. 

Rheumatic  Liniment.  —  Take 
alcohol^  pt.,  oil  of  origanum  ^  oz., 
cayenne  \  oz.,  gum  myrrh  ^  oz.,  1 
tea  spoonful  lobelia.,  and  let  all 
stand  one  day,  then  bathe  the  part 
affected.    I  paid  $5  for  this  recipe. 

Relief  Liniment. — Take  ^  pt. 
linseed  oil,  add  .^  pt.  spts.  turpen- 
tine, 1  ounce  origanum,  and  one 
ounce  oil  of  vitriol ;  an  excellent 
liniment  for  rheumatism,  sprains, 
bruises,  (fcc,  try  and  prove  it. 

Chloroform  Liniment. — For  re- 
lieving suffering  in  case  of  burns, 
(fee,  mix  chloroform  and  cod- 
liver  oil. 

Soap  Liniment. — Take  1  oz. 
organum,  1  oz.  casteel  soap,  1  pt. 
alcohol,  for  swellings,  &.c. 

General  Liniment. — Turpen- 
tine one-half  pint,  linseed  oil  one 
half  pint,  aquamonia  4  oz.,  tr.  of 
iodine  1 — shake  it  all  well.  This 
is  used  for  different  things  spoken 
of  in  the  different  receipts,  sores 
or  swellings,  sprains,  <fec. 

Black  Liniment.. — This  is  good 
to  apply  on  poll  evil — fistula. — 
Take  of  linseed  oil  half  pint,  tr. 
of  iodine  3  oz.,  turpentine  4  oz., 
oil  of  origanum  1  oz. — shake  all 
well  and  apply  it  every  day. — 
Rub  it  in  well  with  your  hand — 
wash  the  part  clean  with  soap 
and  water  before  applying  it. — 
This  is  good  on  anj-  swelling. 

Johnston's  Liniment — Take  oil 
of  origanum  one  oz.,  alcohol  one 
half-pint,  oil  of  cedar  one  half- 
ounce,  oil  of  cloves  one  half-ounce, 
turpentine  one  half-ounce,  olive 
oil  8  oz. — shake  all  well.  This 
is  used  for  almost  all  complaints 
of  the  muscles. 


192 


Receipts. 


Opoi>eldoc. — Take  alcohol  half 
a  gallon,  2  pounds  of  castile  soap, 
4  oz.  gum  camphor,  2  oz.  oil  of 
ambre ;  place  the  alcohol  into  a 
pot  in  hot  water,shave  up  thewap 
and  keep  it  hot  until  all  dissolves, 
and  you  have  the  old  original 
opodeldoc. 

Greex  Ointment. — Take  6  lbs. 
lard,  put  into  ten  gallon  kettle, 
add  2  gallons  of  water,  cut  jimp- 
son  weedSj  and  fill  them  in  and 
cook  them  four  to  six  hours,  slow, 
and  cook  all  the  water  out,  then 
put  into  jars,  add  to  each  pound 
of  ointment  one  ounce  of  turpen- 
tine. This  is  a  good  and  cheap 
stable  ointment — good  for  galls, 
cuts,  scratches,  (fee. 

Sloan's  Ointment — Take  mut- 
ton tallow  4  lbs.,  beeswax  one 
half  pound,  rosin  one  half  pound, 
turpentine  3  oz., — melt  over  a 
slow  fire,  and,  when  partly  cold, 
add  the  turpentine,  and  you  have 
the  same  ointment.  Sloan  sells  to 
cure  everything;  try  it  and  pi'ove 
its  value. 

Iodine  Ointment.— Get  1  oz.  of 
the  grease  iodine,  1  pint  of  alcohol, 
let  this  stand  in  the  sun  two  days, 
and  this  is  the  tincture  of  iodine. 
Take  2  oz.  of  tincture  and  one- 
half  pound  of  lard  ;  mix  well,  and 
you  have  the  iodine  ointment. — 
This  is  used  wherever  the  receipts 
refer  to  the  ointment. 

White  Ointment.  — For  rheu- 
matism, sprains,  burns,  swellings, 
bruises,  or  any  inflammation  on 
man  or  beast,  chapped  hands  or 
lips,  black  eyes,  or  any  kind  of 
bruise.  Take  fresh  butter  2  lbs., 
tr.  of  iodine  half  oz.,  oil  of  ori- 
ganum 2  oz — mix  this  well  for 
fifteen  minutes  and  it  is  fit  for 
use— apply  it  every  night ;  rub 
it  in  well  with  your  hand.     If 


for  human  flesh,    lay  on   warm 
flannel. 

Blue  Ointment.  — Take  the 
ointment  of  losin  4  oz.,  half  oz. 
of  finely  ground  verdigris,  2  oz. 
of  turpentine,  mutton  tallow  2 
lbs.,  half  oz.  oil  of  origanum,  half 
oz.  tr.  of  iodine— mix  all  well. — • 
This  is  one  of  the  best  medicines 
that  can  be  made,  for  scratches, 
hoof-evil,  cuts,  and  is  good  to  ap- 
ply on  fistula,  after  the  rowels 
have  been  taken  out. 
•^---HooF  Ointment. — Take  rosin  4 
oz.,  beeswax  6  oz.,  lard  2  lbs. ; 
melt  together,  pour  it  into  a  pot, 
and  3  oz.  of  turpentine,  2  oz,; 
of  finely  powdered  verdigris  1  (y^ 
lb  tallow — stir  all  until  it  gets 
cool.  This  is  one  of  the  best 
medicines  for  the  hoof  ever  used- 
It  is  good  for  corks  or  bruises  of 
the  feet. 

Hoof  Liquid. — For  tender  feet, 
hoof-bound, (fee.  Linseed  or  neats 
foot  oil,  half  a  pint  of  either,  tur- 
pentine 4  oz.,  oil  of  tar  6  oz.,  ori- 
ganum 3  oz.,  shake  this  well  and 
apply  it  as  the  directions  for  the 
ointment.  This  is  tlie  best,  if  the 
horse  has  been  lame  long — it  pen- 
etrates the  hoof  sooner  than  tha 
ointment — both  of  them  should 
be  applied  at  night. 

Hoof  Evil,  or  Thrush,  Grease 
Heels. — Bleed,  and  physic,  and 
poultice  the  foot  with  boiled  tur- 
nips and  some  fine  ground  char- 
coal— this  must  be  done  at  night, 
for  two  or  three  nights,  then 
wash  the  foot  clean  with  castile 
soap  and  soft  water,  and  apply 
the  blue  ointment  every  day — • 
keep  the  horse  on  a  floor  floor, 
and  he  will  be  well  in  twelve 
days. 

HooF-BouND  OR  Tender  Feet 
— Never  have  the  feet  spread  at 


Receipts. 


193 


the  heels  nor  rasped  above  the 
nail  holes,  for  it  will  do  the  foot 
an  injury.  Follow  the  directions 
given  here.  Use  either  the  hoof 
ointment  or  the  hoof  liquid  ;  ap- 
ply it  according  to  directions. — 
For  hoof  bound  or  tender  feet, 
apply  it  all  around  the  top  of  the 
hoof  down  one  inch  every  third 
day.  If  for  split  hoof,  apply  it 
every  day.  First,  have  a  stiflf 
shoe  on  the  foot,  and  cleanse  the 
cut  or  crack.  Never  cut  or  burn 
for  it. 

Hoof  Ail. — Apply  blue  vitriol 
and  put  on  a  tarred  rag  to  keep 
out  the  dirt. 

No.  2.  Wash  well  with  warm 
soap  suds — wipe  dry  with  a  cloth, 
then  take  two  spoonfuls  of  com- 
mon table  salt,  two  spoonfuls  of 
copperas,  pulverize,  four  spoon- 
fuls of  soft  soap,  mix  well;  spread 
it  upon  a  thick  cloth,  apply  to  the 
foot,  then  confine  it  with  a  ban- 
dage. Let  it  remain  twelve  hours, 
then  wash  as  before. 

Hoof-Bound. — Pare  the  heel 
df  the  hoof  till  it  is  as  flat  and 
natural  as  a  colt's;  then  take 
equal  parts  pitch  pine  and  butter 
simmered  together  and  annoint 
the  heel. 

Heaves. — Take  1  lb.  of  rosin, 
1  lb.  of  salt-petre,  8  oz.,  alum,  1 
oz.  of  asafatidy,  4  oz.  of  snlpher, 
pulverised  and  mixed,  give  one 
teaspoon  full  once  a  day  in  his 
feed.  This  is  also  a  good  medicin 
for  puting  a  horse  in  condition. 

Prepeuation  For  Gelding  Hro- 
sEs. — Take  2  oz.  corrosive  supli- 
mate,  1  oz.  gum  kino,  1  oz.  red 
parsipitate. 

Sprain  in  the  Stifle, — Symp- 
toms— the  horse  holds  up  his  foot, 
moans  when  moved,  swells  in  the 
stifle-     This   is   what    is  called 


stifling.  There  la  no  such  thing 
as  this  joint  getting  out  of  place. 

Cure — Bleed  two  gallons,  fo- 
ment the  stifle  with  hot  water, 
rub  it  dry,  then  bathe  it  well  with 
the  general  liniment  every  morn- 
ing and  night;  give  him  a  mash 
and  he  will  be  well.  Never  al- 
low any  stifl-eshoe  or  cord  on  the 
foot  or  leg. 

How  TO  CURE  Corns. — Take  off 
the  shoe,  cut  out  the  corns  and 
drop  in  a  few  drops  of  muriatic 
acid,  then  make  the  shoes  so  as 
they  will  not  bear  on  the  part  af- 
fected. Apply  the  hoof  liquid 
to  the  hoof  to  remove  the  fever. 
This  is  a  sure  treatment.  I  nev- 
er knew  it  to  fail. 

Corns. — Take  the  shoe  ofi* 
and  give  the  horse  a  free  run  at 
grass  for  a  few  weeks.  This  will 
frequently  cure. 

Founder  in  the  First  Stages. — 
Bleed  from  the  neck  vein  2  or  3 
gallons,  or  until  he  falls,  then  give 
the  following  :  Half  oz.  of  aloes, 
4  drachms  gamboge,  half  oz.  of 
oil  of  sassafras,  make  this  into  a 
pill,  give  it,  and  give  him  all  the 
sassafras  tea  he  will  drink :  turn 
up  his  feet  and  fill  them  full  of 
boiling  hot  lard,  bathe  his  legs  in 
hot  water,  and  rub  them  well. — 
This  will  never  fail  to  cure  in  48 
hours. 

No  2.  Physic,  and  poultice  the 
feet. 

No  3.  Mix  one  pint  of  sun- 
flower seed  in  his  food.  " 

Spavin  or  Ring-Bone. — Take  1 
pt,  of  spts,  turpentine  1  pt.,  of 
oil  spike,  4  oz.  of  salt-petre,  4  oz. 
of  alum,  2  oz,  oil  viturel.  Bath 
the  part  affected  thoroughly 
every  other  day  for  one  week, 
and  if  this  does  not  effect  a  cure 
continue  it  longer.  This  has  cured 


194 


Eeceipts. 


sp.ivins  of  nine  years  standing. 
This  receipt  Las  been  used  witli 
great  success. 

Spavin  and  Rtxg-Bone  Medi- 
cine.— Take  of  cantharides  2  oz., 
mercurial  ointment  4  oz.,  tr.  of 
iodine  3  oz.,  turpentine  -i  oz.,  cor- 
rosive sublimate  3  drachms — mix 
all  well  with  2  pounds  of  lard — 
color  it  if  you  like.  Follow  the 
directions  here  given. 

If  for  ring-bone  or  bone-spavin, 
cut  off  the  iiair  from  the  part  af- 
fected, and  merely  grease  the 
lump  with  the  ointment.  Rub 
it  in  well  with  the  naked  hand. 
In  two  days,  grease  the  part  with 
lard,  and  in  four  days  wash  it  otf 
with  soap  and  water,  and  apply 
the  ointment  again.  So  repeat 
it  every  four  days.  If  for  wind- 
gals,  or  bog-spavin,  or  curb,  ap- 
ply the  ointment  every  six  days. 
This  recipe  has  been  sold  for 
$300. 

Spavin. — Camphor  dissolved  in 
spts.  of  turpentine,  applied  until 
the  hair  starts. 

No.  2.  Oil  vitriol,  origanum, 
cedar  oil,  Spanish  fiies,  equal 
parts  ;   3  oz.  turpentine. 

To  Cure  Ring-Bone  when  first 
ooMiNG. — Dissolve  one  quarter- 
pound  of  salt-petre  in  one  quart 
of  soft  water,  and  wash  with  it 
twice  a  day.  This  will  stop  the 
growth  and  lameness,  and  not 
remove  the  hair. 

RiNG-Bo.NE. — Take  of  spts.  of 
turpentine,  oil  of  spike,  of  each 
1  ounce ;  bottle  and  mix  well ; 
tlien  add  1  ounce  oi  oil  vitriol, 
bath  the  diseased  part  well  for 
three  days,  and  drive  it  in  by  the 
application  of  a  hot  iron  ;  then 
suspend  it  for  three  da^'s,  to  pre- 
vent the  part  becoming  too  sore  ; 
then  appl}^  tie  .-emed}^  again. 
The  sore  should  be  created  with 
lard,  or  ointment ;  this  will  cure 


the  disease  if  not  of  too  long 
standing. 

Poll  Evil.  —  Cure  before  it 
breaks ;  run  a  rowel  or  seton 
from  the  lower  part  of  the  swel- 
ling to  the  top  through  the  cen- 
tre of  the  enlargement,  then  make 
the  following  lotion.  Take  of 
salamoniae  2  oz.,  and  turpentine 
spirits  lialf  pint,  4  oz.  linseed  oil, 
and  4  oz.  of  spirits  of  tar;  shake 
all  well,  and  apply  it  all  over  the 
swelling  every  other  day;  let 
the  seton  stay  in  until  all  the 
swelling  is  gone  down — move  it 
every  day,  and  when  all  is  gone 
draw  it  out.  Bleed  when  you 
first  open  it;  keep  the  part  clean. 

Poll  Evil  after  it  breaks. — If 
you  find  by  probing  it  that  the 
pipes  run  down  towards  the  sur- 
face, run  down  a  seton  through 
the  bottom  of  the  pipe,  and  anoint 
it  with  the  following  ointment. 
Take  of  mercurial  ointment  4  oz., 
and  of  cantharides  half  an  ounce ; 
anoint  the  seton  evei'y  day  until 
it  runs  a  bloody  matter,  then^ 
draw  it  out,  if  the  pipes  run  down 
to  the  centre  of  the  shoulders; 
then  run  down  a  piece  of  the  ni- 
tre of  silver  to  the  bottom,  and 
use  the  liquid  in  the  next  follow- 
ing receipt;  apply  it  on  the 
sore  every  day;  keep  the  part 
clean  with  soap  and  water. 

Liquid  for  Poix  Evil. — Take 
olive  oil  6  ounces,  turpentine  half 
oz.,  oil  of  origanum  half  oz., 
American  or  seneka  oil  3  oz. — 
Mix  well  and  apply  it  to  the  part 
affected,  after  the  nitre  of  silver 
has  been  used.  Apply  this  every 
few  days,  until  it  heals  up.  The 
cleaner  you  keep  the  part  th^ 
better. 

Poll  Etil  and  Fistula. — Clean 
the  sore  throughout  with  soap- 
suds ;  sound  the  pipe  or  pipes  • 
find  their  direction  and  depth 


.Receipts. 


195 


then  take  stiff  paper,  roll  it  in  a 
horn  shape  about  the  size  of  a 
goose  quil ;  fill  with  arsenic  or 
potash ;  double  over  the  ends ; 
insert  the  pipe  and  push  or  drive 
it  to  the  bottom,  Serve  all  the 
pipes  in  the  same  manner,  it 
■will  break  loose  in  3  to  6  vreeks. 
Cleanse  it  one  day  with  soap 
suds,  and  next  with  a  wash  com- 
posed of  one  teaspoonful  of  white 
vitriol,  and  1  do.  burnt  copperas, 
one  do.  burnt  alum,  one  of  gun- 
powder, in  one  pint  of  rain  wa- 
ter. Oil  the  sore  well  after 
washing. 

Fistula. — Take  one  pint  of  al- 
cohol, ^  pt.  turpentine,  1  oz.  in- 
digo, apply  once  a  day. 

To  Drive  off  Poll  Evil  before 
IT  BREAKS. — Take  4  oz.  oil  of 
spike,  1  of  British  oil,  one-eighth 
of  white  vitriol,  1  of  extract  of 
mullen  hearts,;  apply  twice  a 
day.  Shake  well  before  you  ap- 
ply. Give  the  cleansing-powder 
to  cleanse  the  blood. 

Thrush  r  Spavik. — Tako  2 
07..  oil  of  St.  John.  1  oz.  of  oil  of 
viterol,  1  oz,  oil  turpentine,  3  oz. 
of  whiskey.  For  spavin  or  ring- 
bone add  2  oz.  of  mercurial  oint- 
ment, This  is  a  valuable  receipt. 
CovDiTiON  Powders. — Take  2 
J  lb.  of  rosin,  1  lb.  ginger,  1  Ib.cas- 
sar,  ^  lb.  salt-petra,  pulverise 
fine  and  mix  togetner.  Give  one 
table-spoon  full  every  other  day. 
Water  Farcy. — This  is  a  swel- 
ling along  under  the  chest,  and 
forward  to  the  breast.  Bleed, 
rowel  in  the  breast  and  all  along 
the  swelling,  six  inches  apart,  ap- 
ply the  general  liniment  to  the 
swelling,  move  the  rowels  every 
day  ;  let  them  stay  in  until  the 
swelling  goes  down.  Give  soft 
food — mashes, with  the  cleansing- 
»owder  in  it— this  is  dropsy. 


Too  Free  Discharge  of  Urine. 
Give  one  half  oz.  of  the  tr.  of  oan- 
tharides  every  morning  for  ten 
or  twelve  days,  and  if  not  entire- 
ly well,  repeat  it  again,  and  bleed 
one  gallon  from  the  neck — cjive 
clean  food.  The  cause  is  rotten 
or  musty  grain,  or  too  free  use  of 
turpentine.  Keep  him  open  with 
mashes  and  green  food. 

Disease  of  the  Liver,  or  Yel- 
low Water.  -  Give  the  following 
ball  every  morning  until  it  op- 
erates upon  the  bowels.  Take 
7  drachms  of  aloes,  and  1  drachm 
of  calomel,  4  drachms  of  ginger, 
and  molasses  enough  to  make  it 
into  a  ball,  wrap  it  in  paper  and 
give  it;  give  scalded  bran  and 
oats,  grass  if  it  can  be  got ;  when 
his  bowels  have  moved,  stop  the 
physic,  and  give  1  oz.  spirits  of 
camphor  in  a  half  pint  of  water 
every  morning  for  twelve  days; 
rowel  in  the  breast,  and  give  a 
few  doses  of  cleansing  powder. — 
Turn  him  out. 

Fresh  AVounds. — First,  stop  the 
wound  by  tying  the  arteries,  or 
by  applying  the  following  wash  : 
4  gr.  of  nitre  of  silver,  1  oz,  of 
soft  water,  wet  the  wound  with 
this  and  then  draw  the  edges  to- 
gether by  stitches  one  inch  apart, 
then  wash  clean,  and  if  any  swel- 
ling in  tAventy-four  hours,  bleed, 
and  apply  the  blue  ointment,  or 
any  of  the  liniments  spoken  of. 
Keep  the  bowels  open. 

Bruises. — Take  Arnica  blos- 
soms steeped  in  whiskey. 

Cure  for  Biles  on  Horses. — 
Permit  the  patient  to  have  a  run 
for  5  or  0  weeks  in  a  good  pas- 
ture, and  give  a  Httle  physic  in 
shorts  or  meal. 

Cure  for  Cramp. — Give  a  dose 
of  catfaartkj  medicines  and  hot 
fomentations  to  the  limbs,  and  a 
little  rest. 


196 


Receipts. 


(jrv 


Balls  for  Worms. — Barnadoes 
Aloes  6  dra.,  powdered  ginger  1^ 
oz.,  oil  of  wormwood  20  drops, 
powdered  natron,  2  dra. ;  molas- 
ses to  form  a  ball. 

Ball  for  Hide  Bound. — Bar- 
nadoes Aloes,  1  oz,  castile  soap, 
9  dra.,  ginger  6  dra. 

Physic-Ball. — One  half  ounce 
of  aloes,  3  drachms  of  gamboge, 
20  drops  of  the  oil  of  "juniper; 
make  it  into  a  pill  with  a  few 
drops  of  molasses  ;  wrap  it  up  in 
thin  paper  and  grease  it;  draw 
out  the  tongue  with  the  left  hand; 
place  the  gag  in  the  mouth,  and 
run  the  pill  back  with  the  right 
hand  until  it  drops  off,  let  the 
head  down  and  give  a  sup  of 
of  water,  p'irst,  prepare  the  horse 
bj  giving  one  or  tv/o  mashes. 

Liquid  Blisterer. — Take  alco- 
hol 1  pint,  turpentine  one  half- 
pint,  aquamonia  4  oz.,  oil  of  ori- 
ganum 1  oz.;  apply  this  as  spoken 
of  every  three  hours  until  it  blis- 
ters. ^  Do  not  repeat  oftener  than 
once  in  eight  days,  or  seven  at 
least,  or  it  will  kill  the  hair. 

Healixg  Ointment. — Take  five 
parts  of  lard,  one  of  rosin,  melt 
together ;  when  they  begin  to 
get  cool  add  two  parts  of  calo- 
mine  powder,  If  the  wound  is 
unhealthy  add  a  little  turpen- 
tine. 

Galls  on  Horses. — Bath  the 
parts  affected  with  spirits  satura- 
ted with  alum. 

Grubs  in  Horses. — Take  a  tea 
spoonful  of  red  precipitate,  form 
into  a  ball,  repeat,  if  necessary, 
in  30  minutes. 

Worms.  —  Give  one  quart  of 
strong  tea  made  of  worm-wood  at 
night,  the  next  day  give?  drachms 
of  aloes,  2  drachms  of  calomel, 
make  it  into  a  ball  and  give  it; 
give  no  cold  water  for  48  hours ; 


make  it  milk-warm ;  give  him  2 
or  3  bran  mashes,  and  some  of 
the  cleansing-powder;  if  he  shows 
any  more  symptoms,  repeat  the 
dose  in  three  weeks.  This  will 
never  fail. 

Warts. — Cut  them  out  by  the 
roots — take  the  tenackulum  or 
hook,  run  it  through  the  warts, 
and  draw  and  cut  round  it,  and 
draw  it  out ;  if  it  should  bleed 
too  much,  take  5  grains  of  nitre  of 
silver,  and  1  oz.  of  water;  wet  a 
sponge,  and  merely  touch  the  part 
with  this  wash,  and  it  will  stop 
them ;  treat  it  as  any  fresh  wound 
— still,  every  time  you  wash  it, 
scratch  the  scab  off,  so  the  scar 
will  be  small.  This  is  the  only 
sure  way  to  treat  them. 

Groggt  Knees. — This  can  be 
cured  in  the  first  stages,  but  if 
of  long  standing,  there  is  no  cure. 
Have  shoes  made  thick  at  the  toe 
and  thin  at  the  heels  ;  take  lin- 
seed oil,  half  pint,  alcohol  4  oz.,  1 
oz.  camphor  spirits,  2  oz.  lauda- 
num— shake  and  apply  to  back 
part  of  legs,  rub  it  in  well  every 
4  days;  still  increase  the  thick- 
ness of  the  shoes  at  the  toe. 

Sore  Mouth  or  Tongue, — Take 
of  borax  3  drachms,and  2  drachms 
of  sugar  of  lead,  half  oz.  of  alum, 
one  pint  of  sage  tea — shake  all 
well  together,  and  wash  the 
mouth  out  every  morning.  Give 
no  hay  for  twelve  days. 

Cleansing  Powder — This  is  to 
be  used  when  the  blood  is  out  of 
order — good  to  restore  lost  appe- 
tite— yellow  water;  and  wherev- 
er it  is  to  be  used,  it  is  spoken  of. 
Take  1  pound  of  good  ginger,  4 
oz.  powdered  gentian,  1  oz.  nitre, 
half  oz.  crude  antimony — mix  all 
well.  Give  one  large  spoonful 
every  day,  in  wet  food.  This  ia 
perfectly  safe. 


Receipts. 


197 


Sick  Stomach, — Bleed  half  a 
fTallon,  then  if  he  will  eat  a  mash 
cive  him  one  ;  give  no  hay  ;  then 
give  him  half  oz.  rhubarb  every 
night  until  it  moves  his  bowels; 
then  take  of  gentian  root  4  oz., 
feni-greak  2  oz.,  nitre  one-half 
oz. — mix  and  give  a  large  spoon- 
ful every  day ;  do  not  give  him 
too  much  to  eat  when  his  appe- 
tite returns, 
•  Horse  Powder. — For  Distem- 
per, Hidebounde,  Farcy,  Colts, 
and  all  lingering  diseases  which 
arise  from  impurity  of  the  blood 
or  lungs.  Take  i  lb,  comfrey 
root,  ^  lb,  antimony,  .^  lb  sulpher, 
3  oz,  saltpetre,  ^  lb,  laurel  berries, 
^  lb  juni{)er  berries,  ^  lb  anise- 
seed,  ^  lb  rosin,  3  oz,  alum,  5  oz, 
copperas,  ^  lb,  mastcrworth,  ^  lb, 
gum  powder.  Mix  to  a  powder, 
and  give  one  teaspoouful  in  his 
food  once  a  day,  till  cui-ed;  keep 
the  horse  dry,  and  from  water  for 
six  hours  after  using  it, 

ToNic  DuEXcu. — For  weakness 
and  debility.  Take  port  wine, 
3  oz,  tincture  of  cinnamon,  ^  oz, 
powdered  goldenseal  4  drachms. 

Lung  Fever. — Bleed  four  gal- 
lons from  the  neck  vein,  and  take 
one  oz.  of  aconite,  add  to  it  half 
gallon  of  cold  water ;  drench  him 
with  one  gill  of  it  every  3  hours, 
blister  him  over  the  lungs,  then 
give  him  water  to  drink  that  hay 
has  been  boiled  in,  and  to  each 
gallon  of  it  one  oz.  of  gum  arable, 
and  half  an  ounce  of  ipirits  of  ni- 
tre— give  this  every  four  hoirrs, 
rub  well,  foment  and  rub  the  legs 
with  alcohol  and  camphor,  until 
they  get  warm — do  not  move  him. 
Keep  him  in  open  stall,  if  hot 
weather. 

Eye  Lotiox. — Take  of  linseed 
oil  one  pint,  add  to  it  two  oz.  of 
Bpirits  of  ether,  gum  camphor 
lialf  an  oz,     Let  it  stand  in  some 


warm  place  until  the  oil  cuts  the 
gum,  and  it  is    fit  for  use. 

Sting  OF  Bees,     Take  olive  oil, 
and  lime  water,    equal  parts. 
Applied  externally. 

Eye- Wash. — Take  of  sugar  of 
lead  2  drachms,  white  vitriol  1 
drachm,  add  to  this  1  quart  of 
soft  water ;  let  it  stand  for  6  or 
9  hours,  and  it  is  fit  for  use. — > 
"Wash  the  eyes  out  well  every 
morning,  after  first  washing  the 
eyes  well  with  cold  water ;  fol- 
low this  up  for  3  or  four  weeks, 
and  then  if  the  eyes  are  not  much 
better,  bleed  and  give  a  mild 
physic.  The  horse  should  be 
kept  on  low  diet,  and  not  over 
heated  or  worked  too  hard ; 
scalded  shorts  and  oats  are  good. 

Mange  and  Surfeit. — Bleed 
and  physic,  then  take  sulphur 
one-half  pound,  2  pounds  lard; 
mix  well,  grease  the  part  affected 
every  three  or  four  days,  stand 
the  horse  in  the  sun  until  all  dries 
in,  give  him  a  few  doses  of  the 
cleansing-powder. 

Contraction  of  the  Neck, — If 
it  is  taken  in  the  first  stages, 
bleed  from  the  neck  two  gallons, 
then  ferment  or  bathe  the  part 
well  with  hot  water,  rub  it  dry 
and  take  the  general  liniment 
and  apply  it  every  day,  two  or 
three  times ;  this  will  cure,  if  it 
is  of  long  standing.  Then  blister 
all  along  the  part  affected,  with 
the  liquid  blister.  Do  this  every 
three  weeks  until  he  is  well,  and 
rub  with  the  white  ointment. 

Drops  to  make  old  Horses 
Young. — Take  the  tr.  of  asafoeti- 
da  1  oz.,  tr.  of  cantharides  1  oz., 
oil  of  cloves  1  oz.,  oil  of  cinnamon 
one  oz.,  antimony  2  oz.,  fenegreak 
one  oz.,  fourth  proof  brandy  half 
gallon ;  let  it  stand  ten  or  twelve 
days,  and  give  ten  drops  in  a  paii 
of  water — or  one  gallon. 


MEDICINES  FOR  THE  HORSE-THEIR  ACTION  AND  DOSES. 


Muriatic  Acid, 

Kitric  Acid, 

Sulphuric  Acid. 

Gentian, 

Peruvian  Bark, 

Sulphate  of  Iron, 

Myrrh, 

Sulphate  of  Zinc, 

Oxide  of  Zinc, 

Strychnine, 

Iodide  of  Iron, 

Alum, 

Nut  galls, 

Sugar  of  Lead, 

Iodine, 

Corrosive  Sublimate, 

Hydriodate  of  Potash, 

Calomel, 

Epsom  Salts, 

Glauber  Salts, 

Aloes, 

Calomel, 

Croton  Oil, 

Nitrate  of  Potash, 

Carbonate  of  Potash, 

Tincture  Digitalis, 

Tincture  Colchicum, 

Cream  of  Tartar, 

Spirits  of  Nitre, 

Resin, 

Spirits  of  Turpentine, 

Emetic  Tartar, 

Opium, 

Laudanum, 

Extract  Hyoscyamus, 

Caraway  Seeds, 

Sulphur, 

Camphor, 

Tine,  Veratrum  Yiride, 

Belladona. 


Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic, 

Tonic  Astringent, 

Tonic,  I 

Tonic  for  Nerves, 

Alterative  and  Tonic, 

Astringent, 

Astringent, 

Astringent, 

Alterative, 

Alterative, 

Alterative, 

Alterative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative, 

Purgative,     . 

Purgative, 

Diuretic, 

Diuretic  and  Sedative, 

Diuretic  and  Narcotic, 

Diuretic  and  Laxative, 

Diuretic, 

D  uretic, 

Diuretic, 

Diuretic, 

Nauseant  and  Diaphoretic, 

Narcotic, 

Narcotic, 

Narcotic, 

Carminitiye, 

Laxative  and  Alterative. 

Narcotic, 

Sedative, 

Sedative  and  Narcotic. 


1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 

1  to  2  drachms, 

2  to  4  drachms. 
2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 

1  to  3  grains, 
i  to  1  drachm, 

2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
^  to  1  drachm, 
5  to  10  grains, 
4  to  6  grains, 

^  drachm, 
10  to  20  grains, 
k  lb.  to  1  lb. 
I  lb.  to  1  lb. 

1  to  2  drachms, 
^  to  2  drachms, 
20  to  30  drops, 

2  to  4  drachms, 
2  to  4  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
1  to  2  ounces, 

1  to  2  ounces, 
^  to  one  ounce, 
^  to  one  ounce, 
I  to  one  drachm 
1  to  2  drachms, 
^  to  2  ounces, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
i  to  1  ounce, 
1  to  2  ounces, 
1  to  2  drachms, 
20  to  30  drops, 
1  to  2  drachms. 


Used  externally,  muriatic  acid,  nitric  acid,  sulphuric  acid,  and 
corrosive  sublimate  are  caustic ;  iodine  is  alterative ;  and  sugar  of 
lead  is  sedative. 


rtSMiM& 


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/X* 


